were in a relationship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were in a relationship" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a past romantic connection between two people. Example: "They were in a relationship for three years before deciding to part ways."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were in a relationship!

The New Yorker

We were in a relationship for 18 months.

The Guardian

Oh yeah, and both were in a relationship – with other people.

The Washington Post

The suggestion in court was that Miller and Craig were in a relationship at the time.

The Guardian - Film

For years, she called him her boyfriend; they were in a relationship, she said.

Independent

We were in a relationship but it's something we don't like to talk about".

Independent

He estimates this amounts to one in six of those who were in a relationship at the general election.

The Times

A 15-year-old girl in lower Westchester said that it "wasn't slutty if you were in a relationship".

The New York Times

It also suggested that 30% of Tinder users that it surveyed were married, while another 12% were in a relationship.

The Guardian - Tech

He had gained their trust and some of them thought they were in a relationship with him.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If two characters were in a relationship, the probability was they were both going to be men".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing past relationships, use "were in a relationship" to clearly indicate a defined period of connection and involvement between individuals. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using present tense ("are in a relationship") when discussing a relationship that has ended. Ensure the tense aligns with the actual timeframe of the relationship to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were in a relationship" functions as a predicative expression, specifically indicating a state of being. It describes a past condition where two or more entities shared a bond characterized by romance, intimacy, or commitment. Ludwig examples confirm the phrase's role in narrating past events and describing interpersonal dynamics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

25%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were in a relationship" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a past romantic connection between individuals. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is versatile, appearing in both formal and informal contexts, though predominantly in news and media. When using this phrase, remember to maintain consistent tense and avoid using it for non-romantic partnerships. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "had a romantic association". Finally, ensure your usage aligns with the timeline of the relationship to avoid miscommunication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had a relationship

Focuses on the existence of a relationship without specifying the duration or nature.

were a couple

States the fact of being a couple.

were dating

Implies a less serious or committed relationship than "were in a relationship".

were romantically involved

Highlights the romantic aspect of the relationship.

were an item

An older, slightly more informal way of saying "were a couple".

were seeing each other

Suggests a casual or early stage of a relationship.

were together

A more general term indicating a romantic connection.

were linked romantically

Highlights that the connection between the involved individuals is romantic.

had an affair

Implies a secret or extramarital relationship.

were joined in matrimony

Formally describes being married.

FAQs

What is a more formal way to say "were in a relationship"?

In more formal contexts, you could say "had a romantic association" or "were romantically involved" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "were in a relationship" for any type of past romantic connection?

Yes, "were in a relationship" is a generally acceptable phrase to describe any past romantic connection that involved a certain level of commitment or involvement. More casual connections might be better described as "were dating" or "were seeing each other".

How does "were in a relationship" differ from "were just friends"?

"Were in a relationship" implies a romantic or intimate connection beyond simple friendship. The former suggests a level of commitment, while "were just friends" indicates a platonic bond with no romantic involvement.

Can "were in a relationship" be used for non-romantic partnerships?

While possible, "were in a relationship" is typically used to describe romantic partnerships. For other kinds of partnerships, it's more accurate to say "were in a business partnership" or "were working together" to avoid any confusion.