yes they are

USAGE SUMMARY

They are is a perfectly valid and correct phrase in written English.
You could use it in response to a question, for example: Q: Are they coming to the party tonight? A: Yes, they are.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yes, they do and yes they are.

The New York Times - Sports

"Yes they are sexual objects, and yes they are dominant," Penzler said.

The New Yorker

People are mean-spirited, yes they are.

The Guardian - Arts

Vuvuzelas (yes, they are still being made).

BBC

(And yes, they are machine washable).

Los Angeles Times

My paper holds: "yes, they are".

Biology Direct

If yes, they are not dead.

WikiHow

Yes, yes they are maroon.

The Guardian - Sport

"Yes they are, yes they are.

Huffington Post

Well, yes, they are.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But yes, they are tribal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "yes they are" when directly agreeing with a statement or answering a question. It's a clear and concise way to provide confirmation.

Common error

Ensure the pronoun 'they' has a clear antecedent in the context. Without a clear reference, the response can be confusing. For example, instead of simply stating "yes they are", clarify by saying "Yes, the results are conclusive" to avoid any ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "yes they are" primarily functions as an affirmative response, indicating agreement or confirmation. It's a concise way to acknowledge the truth or validity of a statement, mirroring examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

10%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "yes they are" is a common and grammatically correct way to express agreement or confirmation. Ludwig indicates its function is primarily as an affirmative response, suitable for various contexts from news articles to casual conversations. While its register is generally neutral, being mindful of clarity and context is essential. The data suggests its prevalence in news and media, emphasizing its widespread usage in conveying agreement across diverse topics. As Ludwig confirms, it's a simple yet effective tool for affirming statements, ensuring clear and concise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indeed they are

Emphasizes the truth or validity of a previous statement.

yes, that's right

Offers a simple and direct confirmation.

yes, that is correct

Formal affirmation emphasizing correctness.

yes, absolutely

Affirmation with strong agreement or certainty.

yes, without a doubt

Expresses a firm and confident affirmation.

yes, it is true

Confirms the truth of a statement explicitly.

yes, that's the case

Indicates that the described situation is accurate.

certainly, they are

Replaces "yes" with a more formal affirmative.

affirmative, they are

Uses a highly formal tone to confirm.

sure, they are

Provides a casual and informal confirmation.

FAQs

How do I use "yes they are" in a sentence?

Use "yes they are" as a direct affirmation or agreement to a preceding statement or question. For example, in response to 'Are the reports accurate?', you could say, "Yes, they are".

What are some alternatives to saying "yes they are"?

You can use alternatives like "indeed they are", "yes that's right", or "yes absolutely", depending on the context and the level of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "yes they is"?

No, "yes they is" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "yes they are", as "they" is a plural pronoun and requires the plural form of the verb 'to be'.

What's the difference between "yes they are" and "yes it is"?

"Yes they are" is used to affirm something about a plural subject, while "yes it is" is used to affirm something about a singular subject. The choice depends on whether you're referring to one thing or multiple things.