each of us was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "each of us was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to individual members of a group collectively, emphasizing that each person experienced or did something. Example: "Each of us was responsible for contributing to the project in our own unique way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We came from Argentina, Colombia, Mexico and the U.S., and each of us was committed to using the week to help our mentees advance their business or organization.

Huffington Post

Each of us was manufacturing tears at his eyes.

The New Yorker

Each of us was part of our family's promise.

The New York Times - Travel

"Each of us was really surrounded," Phelps-Roper said.

The New Yorker

"Each of us was under enormous pressure today," Lahm said.

The New York Times - Sports

And the knowledge that each of us was loved.

The New York Times

Each of us was given a radiation detector.

The New York Times

"Like each of us was the most important person on the Giants".

The New York Times

After his 20-minute oration, each of us was invited to ask a question.

The Guardian - Books

Each of us was there in anticipation of a rare chance to smell a phantom flower.

The New Yorker

Each of us was really interested in what the other was doing.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a group, ensure that "each of us was" is followed by a verb that accurately reflects the action or state experienced by each individual. For instance, "Each of us was surprised", or "Each of us was assigned a task".

Common error

Avoid using plural verbs or pronouns that don't agree with the singular implication of "each". For example, instead of saying "Each of us were given a task", it should be "Each of us was given a task".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "each of us was" functions as a subject-verb construction within a sentence. It introduces a statement about individual members of a group, highlighting that each person shared a similar experience or action. Ludwig provides various examples demonstrating its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

5%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "each of us was" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that emphasizes individual experiences within a group. As affirmed by Ludwig, this phrase functions as a subject-verb construction, primarily serving to communicate shared conditions or actions, this is supported by numerous examples available in Ludwig. It maintains a neutral register, fitting across various forms of communication, but most frequently in "News & Media" contexts. When using this phrase, ensure correct pronoun agreement and remember its individual-focused emphasis. For alternatives, consider phrases like "every one of us was" or "all of us were" to subtly shift the emphasis, depending on whether you want to emphasize the individual or the group experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every one of us was

Replaces "each" with "every one", emphasizing the individual nature of the experience within the group.

all of us were

Uses "all" to highlight the collective experience while still implying individual involvement.

we were all

Shifts the emphasis to the group as a whole, while maintaining the idea of individual participation.

each person was

Replaces "us" with "person", focusing on the individual within a set.

individually, we were

Adds "individually" to explicitly state the separate nature of each person's experience.

we each were

Reorders the phrase to emphasize the collective "we" before specifying "each".

every single one of us was

Emphasizes the inclusiveness of the statement, leaving no one out.

each one among us was

Adds a layer of formality by using "among us" instead of "of us".

severally, we were

Uses "severally" to formally indicate that each person acted or experienced something independently.

respectively, we were

Implies a specific order or role for each person within the group, which may or may not fit the original context.

FAQs

How can I use "each of us was" in a sentence?

"Each of us was" is used to emphasize the individual experience or action within a group. For example, "Each of us was responsible for a different part of the project".

What's a good alternative to "each of us was"?

You can use phrases like "every one of us was" or "all of us were" depending on whether you want to emphasize the individual or the group experience.

Is it grammatically correct to say "each of us were"?

No, it's grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "each of us was" because "each" refers to individuals, requiring a singular verb.

What is the difference between "each of us was" and "we all were"?

"Each of us was" emphasizes the individual experience, while "we all were" focuses on the collective experience. The first highlights individual contributions or reactions, the second emphasizes a shared situation.