are we there

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are we there" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to inquire about the progress of a journey or to ask if a destination has been reached. Example: "After hours of driving, the kids kept asking, 'Are we there yet?'"

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Don't keep asking, "Are we there yet?!" (Are we there yet, are we there yet, are we there yet...) This will really annoy the driver and could possibly distract them.

WikiHow

What are we there for?

The New Yorker

"By no means are we there today.

The New York Times

"I don't understand questions about are we there yet," Felton said.

The New York Times - Sports

Transferring the critically ill patient: are we there yet?

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Rather than a polling model ('are we there yet, are we there yet'), it pushes updates and update notifications down to subscribers via a cloud server and API.

TechCrunch

As to the finish – well, as small children are fond of saying, are we there yet?

BBC

But are we there yet?

Huffington Post

So, are we there yet?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mr. Dancy occasionally peeked out the window with an are-we-there-yet?

The New York Times

"We don't have a problem with the are-we-there-yet syndrome," Mr. Brady said.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are we there yet?" sparingly in writing to avoid cliché. Consider more descriptive alternatives depending on your context.

Common error

Avoid using "are we there" loosely in contexts where literal travel isn't involved. If you mean 'have we achieved our goal', ensure the figurative link to a journey is clear and effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are we there" functions primarily as an interrogative phrase. It seeks information regarding the completion of a journey or the attainment of a goal. Ludwig examples show it is often used to express impatience or anticipation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

13%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are we there" is a grammatically correct and very common question used to inquire about the progress of a journey or the achievement of a goal. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and identifies its prevalence across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and informal settings. It’s important to consider the register and avoid overuse in formal writing, opting for more descriptive alternatives when appropriate. The phrase can be used literally, referring to physical travel, or figuratively, to question the completion of a project or the attainment of a milestone. Ludwig examples highlight the phrase's association with impatience and eagerness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have we arrived yet

Focuses specifically on reaching a final destination, emphasizing arrival.

are we nearly there

Uses "nearly" to indicate being very close to the destination.

are we getting close

Similar to "are we close" but emphasizes the process of nearing the destination.

are we close

Inquires about proximity to the destination rather than complete arrival.

how much farther

Questions the remaining distance to travel.

when will we get there

Asks about the estimated time of arrival.

what's our ETA

Inquires about the estimated time of arrival, using a common abbreviation.

are we approaching our destination

A more formal way of asking if the destination is near.

is the journey almost over

Focuses on the completion of the entire trip.

are we on track

Focuses on whether the progress aligns with the schedule.

FAQs

How can I use "are we there" in a sentence?

You can use "are we there" to inquire about the progress of a journey, literally or figuratively. For example, "After driving for hours, the children impatiently asked, "are we there yet?""

What can I say instead of "are we there"?

You can use alternatives like "have we arrived yet", "are we close", or "how much farther" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "are we there yet" in formal writing?

While "are we there" is grammatically correct, "are we there yet" is generally considered informal and is best suited for casual conversation or when writing dialogue. In formal writing, consider using phrases like "have we reached our objective" or "have we achieved our goal".

What does "are we there yet" typically imply?

"Are we there yet" typically implies impatience or eagerness to reach a destination, often used by children on long journeys. It can also be used metaphorically to question the progress toward a goal or milestone.