indeed we were

USAGE SUMMARY

'indeed we were' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an emphatic way of affirming something that has already been said. For example, "We all had a great time at the party - indeed we were!".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Indeed we were try to get something.

Princeton University

So, perhaps, we should have been suspicious — as indeed we were.

The Guardian - Sport

'We're all sitting here waiting for the first tackle.' Indeed we were, but it proved to be a tame one.

The Guardian - Sport

Indeed, we were one of the first institutions to have our own online channel QTV, featuring leading researchers.

The Guardian

Indeed, we were recently recognised as one of the three "most viral news sources" on Facebook and Twitter.

The Guardian

But indeed we were sequencing hemoglobins at that time in the MPI in Munich and wondered about the variability it displayed in different species.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Indeed, we were told that we could no longer criticize any corporations, even if they were exploiting children".

The New York Times

Indeed, we were able to detect recombined cell pairs at P45. Amongst these, ACD rates were reduced in the Lgl1 cKO (WT = 23.2% vs. cKO = 12.5%; p = 0.023).

Nature

Indeed, we were able to obtain ROC AUC values higher than 0.99 both in the 14-spot and in the 9-spot model.

Nature

Indeed, we were advised that short of getting Saddam to sign a confession in his own blood, we had all the evidence we needed.

The Guardian

Indeed, we were stunned to learn that the American dream we thought we were living has actually become the American nightmare.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "indeed we were" to emphatically confirm a previous statement or shared understanding, adding a touch of formality or emphasis to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "indeed we were" excessively in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler confirmations like "yes, we were" or "we were" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

Indeed we were functions as an emphatic affirmation or confirmation. It adds weight to a previous statement, indicating strong agreement or verification, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

34%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "indeed we were" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that functions as an emphatic affirmation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It is most frequently found in scientific and news media contexts, expressing strong agreement or confirmation. While versatile, it's best reserved for neutral to formal settings to avoid sounding stilted. Consider alternatives like "yes, we were" or "actually we were" for more informal situations. By understanding its nuances and usage patterns, you can effectively incorporate "indeed we were" into your writing to add emphasis and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in fact we were

Replaces "indeed" with "in fact", offering a slightly less formal tone but maintaining the same confirmatory emphasis.

as a matter of fact, we were

Substitutes "indeed" with "as a matter of fact", introducing a factual affirmation, sometimes correcting a prior assumption.

certainly we were

Offers "certainly" as a substitute, indicating a firm conviction regarding a past state or action.

actually we were

Substitutes "indeed" with "actually", implying a revelation or a situation contrary to expectation.

without a doubt we were

Replaces "indeed" with "without a doubt", emphasizing the lack of uncertainty.

indeed, that's what we were

Emphasizes the previous statement more directly by adding "that's what we were".

verily we were

Replaces "indeed" with "verily", resulting in a more archaic and formal expression of truth.

to be sure we were

Introduces "to be sure" to express confirmation, often implying a mild concession.

assuredly we were

Uses "assuredly" in place of "indeed", conveying a strong sense of certainty and confidence.

yes, we were

Uses a simple "yes" for agreement, reducing the formality and emphasis.

FAQs

How can I use "indeed we were" in a sentence?

Use "indeed we were" to strongly affirm a preceding statement or situation. For instance, "We were quite surprised by the outcome; indeed, we were stunned."

What's a less formal way to say "indeed we were"?

You could say "yes, we were", "actually we were", or simply "we were" for a less formal tone.

Is there a difference between "in fact we were" and "indeed we were"?

While both express affirmation, "in fact we were" often introduces a detail that might be surprising, while "indeed we were" provides straightforward confirmation.

When is it appropriate to use "indeed we were"?

It's appropriate in formal writing, academic papers, or when you want to add emphasis to your agreement with a prior statement. Avoid using it too frequently in informal contexts.