were thin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were thin" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the physical appearance or condition of something or someone in the past. Example: "When I looked at the old photographs, I noticed that my friends were thin back in high school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His hands were thin.

The New York Times

They were thin hairs.

The New Yorker

No wonder they were thin.

The New York Times - Health

Her arms were thin and pale.

The New Yorker

Products were cheap, and towels were thin.

The New York Times - Travel

Her fingers were thin and startlingly warm.

The New Yorker

Development opportunities were thin on the ground.

The Guardian

His slippers were thin, the soles made of buffalo hide.

The Guardian - Books

Alas, buyer-witnesses were thin on the ground.

The Guardian - Opinion

Photographs were thin on the ground in our family.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

His bare arms were thin but sinewy, blueprinted for muscle.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical appearance, consider the connotation of "were thin". If a more positive or neutral term is desired, use alternatives like "were slender" or "were slim".

Common error

While "were thin" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can sound informal. Opt for more precise language or alternatives like "were lean" or "were sparse" to enhance clarity and formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were thin" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of lacking thickness, substance, or density in the past. As Ludwig AI highlights, this can apply to physical objects, people, or abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were thin" is a grammatically correct and very common adjective phrase used to describe a past state of lacking thickness, substance, or density. As Ludwig AI confirms, it finds frequent usage across various contexts, especially in news and media. When using "were thin", consider the specific connotation and whether a more precise or formal alternative like "were slender" or "were sparse" would be more appropriate. While generally versatile, be mindful of overuse in highly formal writing. Overall, "were thin" remains a useful and widely understood descriptive phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were slender

Replaces "thin" with a more elegant and often positive connotation of being attractively slim.

were lean

Suggests a healthy and athletic build, emphasizing a lack of excess fat.

were slim

A general term for being thin, without necessarily implying weakness or fragility.

were underweight

Indicates a condition of being below the healthy weight range, often with negative implications.

were sparse

Applicable when describing things that are thinly distributed, such as hair or crowds.

were depleted

Suggests a reduction in quantity or substance, like resources or energy.

were meager

Emphasizes the insufficiency or inadequacy of something, like resources or supplies.

were narrow

Focuses on the limited width of something, such as a path or a beam.

were flimsy

Indicates a lack of strength or substance, often implying fragility or poor quality.

were attenuated

A more formal term indicating a weakening or reduction in intensity or strength.

FAQs

What does "were thin" mean?

The phrase "were thin" describes a state of having little thickness, body fat, or density in the past. It can apply to physical objects, people's bodies, or abstract concepts like crowds or resources.

What are some synonyms for "were thin" when describing a person's body?

When describing a person's body, synonyms for "were thin" include "were slender", "were slim", "were lean", or "were underweight", each carrying slightly different connotations.

How can I use "were thin" to describe something other than a person's body?

You can use "were thin" to describe things like crowds (e.g., "crowds were thin"), resources (e.g., "resources were thin"), or materials (e.g., "the walls were thin").

Is it always appropriate to use "were thin"?

While generally acceptable, consider the context and audience. In formal or sensitive situations, more precise or neutral language might be preferable. For instance, instead of saying "profits were thin", you might say "profits were meager".