if we're

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if we're" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a conditional statement involving the subject "we" and is often followed by a verb or clause. Example: "If we're going to the party, we should leave soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"One if we're lucky".

The New York Times

If we're still here.

The New York Times - Arts

It's if we're winning.

The New York Times - Sports

HENDRIK HERTZBERG: If we're lucky.

The New Yorker

all, if we're being honest".

Independent

Hardly, if we're being honest.

Independent

"If we're not successful..

The Washington Post

If we're not lucky?

The New York Times

Better still if we're somewhere hot.

Independent

But what if we're just bored?

The New Yorker

Maybe next weekend, if we're too busy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "if we're" to introduce a condition that depends on the state or action of a group including yourself. It works well in both spoken and written English.

Common error

Avoid mistakenly using "if we were" when you intend to use "if we're". "If we were" indicates a hypothetical or counterfactual condition, while "if we're" indicates a possible future condition. For example: "If we were rich, we would travel the world" (hypothetical) vs. "If we're going to the store, I need milk" (possible condition).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if we're" functions as a conditional clause, introducing a situation or condition that must be met for a particular outcome to occur. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "if we're" is a grammatically sound and frequently used conditional clause, as affirmed by Ludwig. It serves to introduce a condition upon which another action or state depends. While its formality is generally neutral, it's advisable to use "if we are" in more formal writing contexts. Remembering to distinguish it from "if we were", which signifies a hypothetical situation, is crucial for clear communication. Given its prevalence in sources like The New York Times, Independent and Forbes, it's a reliable phrase in a wide range of writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assuming that we're

A slight variation using "that" after assuming.

assuming we are

Replaces the contraction with the full form and uses "assuming" to introduce the condition.

supposing we are

Introduces a hypothetical situation for consideration.

should we be

Changes the structure to a question form implying a conditional state.

given that we are

Indicates that something is true or likely to happen based on a current condition.

in the event that we are

Introduces a more formal and emphatic conditional scenario.

provided that we are

Uses "provided that" to specify a condition that must be met.

on the condition that we are

Highlights the specific condition required for something to happen.

if it happens that we are

Adds emphasis to the possibility of the condition being met.

should we happen to be

Expresses a less probable scenario in a more formal way.

FAQs

What's the difference between "if we're" and "if we were"?

"If we're" is a contraction of "if we are" and indicates a possible condition. "If we were" expresses a hypothetical or counterfactual situation. For instance, "If we're late, we'll miss the show" vs. "If we were in charge, things would be different".

Is it okay to use "if we're" in formal writing?

While "if we're" is generally acceptable, it's more common in informal contexts. In formal writing, it's preferable to use the full form, "if we are", for a more polished tone.

What are some alternatives to "if we're"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "assuming we are", "provided that we are", or "supposing we are".

How do I use "if we're" correctly in a sentence?

Use "if we're" to introduce a conditional clause where 'we' might be in a certain state or perform a certain action. For example: "If we're going to the beach, we need to pack sunscreen".