as were you

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as were you" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that someone else was in a similar situation or condition as the speaker. Example: "I felt nervous before the presentation, just as were you when you first started speaking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He also advises being mindful of mortgages that come with high upfront costs (booking fees or valuation fees) as, were you to get a similar downvaluation, you don't want to have paid much more money to be disappointed again.

The Guardian - Money

But the prosecution asked questions such as, 'Were you aware that children were being dragged to King's house and buggered within an inch of their lives?' I wasn't able to stand up and say, 'No.

Independent

He hasn't returned my call". Gibson, who has also recorded a radio commercial opposing the proposition to fund stem cell research, said: "I was never in a petri dish, but at one stage I was that little cluster of cells myself, as were you, as was the doctor, as is everybody.

The Guardian

It may be true that the island state is a relentlessly competitive, perhaps over-regimented hothouse, but it could also be that Singaporeans don't necessarily want to bare their souls to some stranger asking questions such as: "Were you treated with respect all day yesterday?

The Economist

"How many hours a day would you be studying mime in Paris?" he asked, as well as, "Were you trapped in a box?" Lange shut it down, though, telling him there was nothing like that, and that they needed to get back on track.

Huffington Post

PRS: Nine of the sites (43%) ask explicitly about the success of the treatment, for example with questions such as: "Were you better after the treatment?" (14), "How would you subjectively assess the success of the treatment?" (18), or "How did his treatments work for you?" (2).

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

As are you, the reader.

The Guardian - Opinion

As are you, Deano.

The Guardian - Sport

Many were as troubled as are you by this evasion.

The New York Times - Magazine

As are you.

Huffington Post

As are you, Dr. Angelou.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as were you" when aiming for a slightly formal or literary tone to indicate a shared previous state or condition with someone else.

Common error

Avoid using "as were you" when referring to a current state. It's designed to reflect a past condition shared between individuals. For present circumstances, opt for "as you are" or "like you are" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as were you" functions as a comparative conjunction phrase, indicating a shared state or condition in the past. It often appears in sentences comparing one's own experience to that of another, as demonstrated by the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as were you" is a grammatically sound and usable English phrase that expresses a similarity in past experiences or conditions. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness. While not extremely common, it finds its place in neutral to slightly formal contexts, particularly in news, scientific writing and online wikis. When using this phrase, ensure you are referring to a past state. If aiming for a less formal tone, consider alternatives such as "like you were".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

like you were

This alternative uses a more common and less formal preposition to convey a similar meaning.

just as you were

Adds emphasis on the similarity of the previous state or condition.

the same as you were

Focuses on identical conditions between individuals.

as you also were

Inserts 'also' to explicitly include the other person in the same state.

in the same boat as you

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate a shared predicament.

as you happened to be

Emphasizes the coincidental nature of the shared condition.

as you previously were

Highlights that the shared condition existed in the past.

similar to how you were

Focuses on the resemblance of the state or condition.

in a similar position to you

Uses more formal language to express a shared circumstance.

as was the case with you

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the factual aspect of the shared situation.

FAQs

How can I use "as were you" in a sentence?

Use "as were you" to indicate someone else was in the same situation or condition in the past. For example: "I felt nervous before the presentation, just "as were you" when you first started speaking."

What's a less formal alternative to "as were you"?

A less formal alternative is "like you were". It conveys the same meaning but is suitable for more casual conversation.

Is "as were you" grammatically correct?

Yes, "as were you" is grammatically correct, but it is more formal and less common than similar phrases such as "as you were" or "as you are" depending on the context.

When should I use "as were you" instead of "as you are"?

Use "as were you" when referring to a past state or condition that both you and another person shared. Use "as you are" when referring to the current state of the other person.