that we deserved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'that we deserved' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasise that something has been earned, usually through effort, such as in the sentence: 'We worked hard for our success, and that we deserved.'.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It showed in the result there that we deserved it.

Independent

"I believed we would get a goal that we deserved.

The Guardian - Sport

But we proved that it wasn't a fluke, that we deserved it".

The New York Times

Now I had to divest myself of the illusion that we deserved what had happened.

The New Yorker

"But I didn't think we did enough wrong that we deserved to lose.

The Guardian - Sport

"We just felt that we deserved, that we had earned to be in a B.C.S. game".

The New York Times - Sports

My greatest disappointment is losing a match that we deserved to win".

The Guardian - Sport

It might not be the result that we wanted, but it's the result that we deserved.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And we always wanted to prove ourselves that we deserved to be out there".

The New York Times - Sports

"This club has had some great results but given the performance you have to say that we deserved it.

Independent

Blanco, the forward who assisted on the Mexican goal, said: "We worked so hard that we deserved to win".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure that the context surrounding "that we deserved" clearly establishes the basis for the deserving, whether it is effort, skill, or some other qualifying factor. This adds credibility to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "that we deserved" in situations where the basis for deservingness is weak or unsupported. Overstating entitlement can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that we deserved" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or pronoun by providing additional information about something earned or merited. Ludwig AI confirms this construction is grammatically acceptable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that we deserved" is a grammatically correct and very common relative clause used to express a sense of justified entitlement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts and serves to assert that an outcome was earned through effort or merit. While versatile, it's important to use the phrase thoughtfully, ensuring the context clearly supports the claim of deservingness. Consider related phrases such as "which we had earned" or "what we were entitled to" to fine-tune your message. Remember, this analysis is based on a large dataset of real-world examples, offering practical guidance for your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which we had earned

Replaces "deserved" with "had earned", emphasizing the effort put in.

something we merited

Uses "merited" to highlight the worthiness of receiving something.

which we were due

Emphasizes an expectation and right to receive something.

what we were entitled to

Substitutes "deserved" with "were entitled to", focusing on a right or expectation.

that we were justified in receiving

Emphasizes the righteousness of obtaining something.

what we had coming

Replaces "deserved" with an idiomatic expression suggesting a predictable outcome.

a reward we had coming

Highlights the phrase as a reward for previous actions.

that was owed to us

Changes the focus to an obligation from someone else.

a result we had rightly achieved

Focuses on the fairness and correctness of the outcome.

that we were worthy of

Shifts the emphasis to inherent value or merit.

FAQs

How can I use "that we deserved" in a sentence?

You can use "that we deserved" to express a sense of just entitlement, such as in the sentence: "After all the hard work, it was a victory "that we deserved"".

What are some alternatives to saying "that we deserved"?

You can use alternatives like "which we had earned", "what we were entitled to", or "what we had coming" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "that we deserved" or "that we deserved it"?

Both "that we deserved" and "that we deserved it" are grammatically correct, but "that we deserved it" is often more emphatic and clearer because "it" refers to a specific outcome or reward.

In what contexts is the phrase "that we deserved" most commonly used?

The phrase "that we deserved" is frequently used in contexts where there is a discussion about outcomes, such as sports, business, or personal achievements, to emphasize that the result was justified by effort or merit.