yet they are

USAGE SUMMARY

"yet they are" is correct and can be used in written English.
You may use it when expressing a contrast between two statements. For example, "The children are young, yet they are capable of great things."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Yet they are ours.

The New Yorker

And yet they are.

SEP

Yet they are.

The Economist

Yet they are similar.

The Economist

Best yet, they are participatory.

The New York Times

Yet they are vanishing fast.

The Economist

Yet they are also reluctant.

The New York Times

Yet they are not uncommon.

The New York Times - Arts

Yet they are largely flawed.

The Economist

Yet they are very popular.

The Economist

Yet they are much cheaper.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "yet they are", ensure the preceding statement genuinely contrasts with the point you're about to make. This strengthens the impact of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "yet they are" when there isn't a clear contrast or contradiction. Overusing it can make your writing seem forced and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "yet they are" is to serve as a conjunction phrase that introduces a contrasting or unexpected element following a statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to connect two ideas where the second is surprising given the first. The examples illustrate its ability to highlight unexpected qualities or outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "yet they are" is a versatile conjunction phrase used to introduce a contrasting or unexpected element into a statement. It’s grammatically correct and very common, as Ludwig AI confirms. It's primarily found in news and media, but also appears in science and formal business contexts. When writing, remember to use it to highlight genuine contrasts, and avoid overuse to maintain its impact. You can consider alternatives such as "however they may be" or "despite this, they remain" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however they may be

Replaces "yet" with "however" for a more formal tone, emphasizing the contrast.

nevertheless they exist

Substitutes "yet" with "nevertheless" and "are" with "exist", stressing the surprising presence of something.

despite this, they remain

Uses "despite this" to highlight the contrast, and "remain" to focus on the persistence of the subject.

even so, they persist

Employs "even so" to convey concession, and "persist" to emphasize the continued existence or action.

still, they continue

Replaces "yet" with "still", suggesting a continuing action despite an obstacle.

and yet, they endure

Adds emphasis with "and yet", and uses "endure" to signify lasting through hardship.

but they do

A more concise alternative, using "but" for contrast and "do" for emphasis.

even then, they act

Focuses on action by using "act", suggesting behavior contrary to expectations.

that being said, they perform

Adds a conversational feel, while emphasizing their ability to "perform".

in spite of that, they work

Highlights the contrast through the use of "in spite of that", changing "are" to "work" to focus on functionality

FAQs

How can I use "yet they are" in a sentence?

Use "yet they are" to introduce a contrasting or surprising element. For example, "The task seems daunting, "yet they are" making significant progress."

What phrases are similar to "yet they are"?

Similar phrases include "however they may be", "nevertheless they exist", or "despite this, they remain", each offering a slightly different nuance in expressing contrast.

Is it always necessary to include a comma before "yet" in "yet they are"?

Yes, it's generally recommended to place a comma before "yet" when it introduces a contrasting clause. This enhances readability and emphasizes the contrast.

What is the difference between "but they are" and "yet they are"?

"But they are" is a more direct and simple way to express contrast, while "yet they are" implies a stronger sense of surprise or unexpectedness. "Yet" suggests something is happening despite an obstacle or contrary expectation.