as we was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as we was" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used in informal spoken English, often in dialects or regional variations, but should be avoided in formal writing. Example: "I remember the days as we was growing up together in the same neighborhood."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The sighting of the Moctezuma, Dudley said, occurred "as we was having our breakfast we will call it," adding for good measure, not long after they had literally consumed the heart, liver and other innards of poor Parker, that "their hearts were in their mouths".

The New York Times - Books

It's 30 years since Prince released Purple Rain; 18 years since Jay Z (or Jaÿ-Z as we was known then) released Reasonable Doubt; and it's four years since Honduras put a stop sign in front of Switzerland's hopes of qualifying for the last 16 in the World Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

"As we was turning the corner, Freddie started running," Ross said.

Los Angeles Times

That got Sestak stuck in a moment that he could not get out of, as long as we was running for office.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

As we were saying.

The New Yorker

As we are by them".

Independent

"We're happy as we are".

The New Yorker

Not as fast as we were.

The New Yorker

As we were, we were OK".

Independent

So we did as we were told.

The New York Times - Arts

Or we can stick as we are.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "as we were" in formal and written English to maintain grammatical correctness. Avoid "as we was", which is considered non-standard.

Common error

Do not use "was" with the plural pronoun "we". "Was" is for singular subjects (I, he, she, it), while "were" is for plural subjects (we, you, they).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as we was" functions as an introductory phrase setting the context or time frame for a narrative. However, according to Ludwig, it is grammatically incorrect, representing a non-standard verb conjugation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as we was" is grammatically incorrect in standard English and should be avoided in formal writing and speech. According to Ludwig, it represents a non-standard verb conjugation. The correct form is "as we were". While it might appear in informal contexts or certain dialects, using "as we were" ensures clarity and grammatical accuracy. Ludwig's examples, though limited, highlight its presence primarily in news and media, often when quoting informal speech or in contexts where non-standard English is being represented. For professional and academic settings, always opt for "as we were" to maintain credibility and grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as we were

Corrects the grammatical error by using the past tense plural form of 'be'.

when we were

Replaces "as" with "when" to indicate a time period, correcting the grammar.

while we were

Uses "while" to specify an action in progress during a past time.

during the time we were

Emphasizes a period in the past when something occurred.

at the time we were

Highlights a specific moment in the past.

as we had been

Uses the past perfect tense to indicate a state prior to another past event.

in the state we were

Focuses on the condition or situation during a past period.

the way we were

Emphasizes the manner or condition of being in the past.

like we were

Similar to "the way we were", indicating a past state or manner.

back when we were

Adds emphasis to a nostalgic recollection of the past.

FAQs

What is the correct grammatical form, "as we was" or "as we were"?

The correct grammatical form is "as we were". "As we was" is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English.

When is it appropriate to use "as we was"?

"As we was" is generally not appropriate in formal writing or speech. It may be heard in some dialects or informal contexts, but it's best to use "as we were" in most situations.

What are some alternatives to "as we was" that I can use in writing?

Instead of "as we was", you can use phrases like "as we were", "when we were", or "while we were" to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Is "as we was" ever considered acceptable in English?

While some dialects might use "as we was", it is generally considered non-standard and grammatically incorrect in both written and formal spoken English. It is advisable to use "as we were" instead.