were all gone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were all gone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a group of items or people has completely disappeared or is no longer present. Example: "By the time we arrived at the store, the holiday decorations were all gone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The next morning there was no-one there — butcher, baker, dairyman, post office and bank staff were all gone.

BBC

The oranges were all gone.

The New York Times

"We just presumed they were all gone".

The New Yorker

"The windows were all gone, shot out".

The New York Times

Warhol, Nico, and Cale were all gone.

The New Yorker

Stands, tents and banners were all gone.

The Guardian

The management and supervisors were all gone.

The New York Times

"The men were all gone," she said.

The New York Times

They were all gone by then".

The New York Times

By '90, they were all gone.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

My friends were all going to it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were all gone" to clearly and concisely indicate that a group of items or people has completely disappeared or is no longer present.

Common error

While "were all gone" is perfectly acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "had completely vanished" or "were entirely depleted" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were all gone" functions as a descriptive statement indicating the complete absence or disappearance of a group of entities. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

93%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were all gone" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to indicate the complete absence or disappearance of a group of items or people. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While suitable for diverse contexts, it is most frequently encountered in news and media. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "had completely vanished" to maintain a sophisticated tone. Remember that clarity and conciseness are key when using this phrase effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had all vanished

Focuses on the sudden disappearance of something, implying a sense of mystery or unexpectedness.

were completely absent

Emphasizes the total lack of presence, highlighting the thoroughness of the absence.

had entirely disappeared

Stresses the completeness of the disappearance, suggesting nothing remains.

were nowhere to be found

Highlights the impossibility of locating something, indicating a thorough search with no results.

had ceased to exist

Emphasizes the termination of existence, often used for abstract concepts or entities.

were utterly depleted

Focuses on the complete consumption or exhaustion of something, often resources or supplies.

had all dissipated

Suggests a gradual disappearance or fading away, implying a loss of substance or form.

were totally consumed

Emphasizes the complete and irreversible consumption of something, often by fire or other destructive forces.

had been eradicated

Highlights the forceful and deliberate removal of something, often used for problems or diseases.

were completely used up

Focuses on the full utilization of something, implying nothing is left for further use.

FAQs

What does "were all gone" mean?

The phrase "were all gone" means that a group of people or things has disappeared or is no longer present in a specific location or situation.

How can I use "were all gone" in a sentence?

You can use "were all gone" to describe a situation where items or people have disappeared. For example: "By the time we arrived, the cookies "were all gone"."

What are some alternatives to "were all gone"?

Alternatives include "had vanished", "were missing", or "were absent". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "were all gone" formal or informal?

The phrase "were all gone" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both informal and formal contexts, although more formal options might be preferable in certain situations, such as "had completely disappeared".