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All they did was vs All they did were

The correct phrase is 'all they did was.' 'Was' is used because 'all they did' is a singular action, so it requires a singular verb. 'Were' is incorrect in this context.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 6346 views

All they did was

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to emphasize that the only action taken by a group of people was a particular one. 'Was' is the correct verb to use in this context because 'all they did' is a singular action.

Examples:

  • All they did was complain about the situation.
  • All they did was eat pizza and watch movies.
  • All they did was try to help.
  • All they did was talk about their plans.
  • All they did was wait for the bus.
  • All they did was tell lies.
  • All they did was give birth to me.
  • All they did was rule out a heart attack.
  • But what he didn't tell you is... all they did was put Nick on a plane to Seattle.
  • All they did was give me his effects.
  • About all they did was take out a couple of hedges.
  • No, I mean, all the other doctors, all they did was obsess on the cancer, the treatment, the damage.
  • Really all they did was they gave it a fresh coat of bright paint, a gourmet grocery, and they put up a restaurant in the old post office.
  • All they did was give birth to me.
  • All they did was look online.
  • All they did was tell lies.
  • All they did was shoot up a neighbourhood, wake a few cops.
  • All they did was hold her boyfriend's jacket in the corner.
  • All they did was save me some gas.
  • All they did was fight with each other over the money.
  • All they did was fight with each other over the money.
  • - All they did was bicker and fight.
  • All they did was hire a bunch of minimum-wage white guys to follow the black employees around...
  • All they did was rule out a heart attack.
  • All they did was chase me. That's all.

Alternatives:

  • The only thing they did was
  • Their sole action was
  • Their only activity was
  • Their single task was
  • Their exclusive deed was

All they did were

This phrase is incorrect in English.

  • They had the whole house to themselves last night, and all they did were chores.

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