were enthusiastic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were enthusiastic" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a past state of excitement or eagerness about something. Example: "The students were enthusiastic about the upcoming field trip, eagerly discussing their plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The reviews were enthusiastic.

The New Yorker

The markets were enthusiastic.

The Economist

Only environmentalists were enthusiastic.

The Economist

We were enthusiastic.

The New York Times

The students were enthusiastic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some onlookers were enthusiastic.

The New York Times

Local officials were enthusiastic.

The New York Times

Critics were enthusiastic, too.

The Guardian - Books

Others were enthusiastic, though.

The New York Times

But others were enthusiastic.

The New York Times - Arts

Audiences were enthusiastic.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing past events, "were enthusiastic" indicates a strong positive emotional response. Avoid overusing it; consider synonyms like "were excited" or "were eager" for variety.

Common error

Avoid using "were enthusiastic" when describing present feelings. Use "are enthusiastic" or "are excited" instead to accurately reflect the current state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were enthusiastic" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, indicating a state of excitement, eagerness, or strong interest experienced by a subject in the past. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were enthusiastic" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to convey past excitement or strong interest. Ludwig AI confirms this, showing it is "correct" and frequently employed across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal writing. When using the phrase, remember to maintain tense consistency and consider synonyms like "were excited" or "were eager" to enhance writing variety. The phrase is a valuable tool for expressing positive sentiment and highlighting past motivation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were excited

Replaces "enthusiastic" with a more general term for positive emotion.

were eager

Focuses on anticipation and keenness.

showed enthusiasm

Shifts from a state of being to an action, highlighting the display of enthusiasm.

were passionate

Implies a deep, intense interest.

expressed excitement

Similar to "showed enthusiasm" but emphasizes verbal or nonverbal communication.

were thrilled

Suggests a higher degree of joy and excitement.

greeted with enthusiasm

Indicates a positive reception or welcome.

were zealous

Conveys fervent and dedicated enthusiasm.

responded enthusiastically

Highlights an active, eager reaction.

were fervent

Conveys a strong, burning enthusiasm, close to zealous.

FAQs

How can I use "were enthusiastic" in a sentence?

"Were enthusiastic" describes past excitement or eagerness. For example, "The students "were enthusiastic" about the upcoming science project".

What are some synonyms for "were enthusiastic"?

Alternatives include "were excited", "were eager", or "showed enthusiasm", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was enthusiastic" instead of "were enthusiastic"?

No, "was enthusiastic" is used for singular subjects, while ""were enthusiastic"" is for plural subjects. For example, "He was enthusiastic," but "They "were enthusiastic"".

What's the difference between "were enthusiastic" and "are enthusiastic"?

"Were enthusiastic" refers to a past state of excitement, while "are enthusiastic" indicates a present state. For example, "They "were enthusiastic" about the proposal yesterday," but "They are enthusiastic about the project now".