was that we

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was that we" is not correct and does not form a complete thought in written English.
It may be used in a context where someone is reflecting on a past event or statement, but it requires additional context to be meaningful. Example: "The only thing I remember from that meeting was that we agreed on the new project timeline."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The point was that WE HAD A DEAL.

The New Yorker

Another was that we were walking corpses.

The New York Times - Magazine

And most important was that we started.

The New Yorker

My hunch was that we wouldn't.

Independent

The implication was that we were racist.

The Guardian

Maybe it was that we associate old age with illness?

The New York Times

"Our feeling was that we were legal resident aliens.

The Washington Post

The other was that we just thought it was exciting.

Harvard Business Review

"The hope was that we could launch right into it.

The Washington Post

It was that we got bored while waiting.

The Washington Post

The only difference was that we huddled closer together.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure a complete sentence structure when using phrases like "was that we". A common correction involves adding a subject before "was", such as "The problem was that we...".

Common error

Avoid using "was that we" as a standalone phrase. Always provide a subject or context to clarify what "was" refers to. For example, instead of "Was that we didn't prepare", write "The issue was that we didn't prepare".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was that we" typically functions as part of a clause that explains a reason, condition, or outcome. While Ludwig AI identifies numerous examples of its usage, it also notes that it is not grammatically correct without additional context or framing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "was that we" appears frequently in various sources, Ludwig AI indicates it is often grammatically incomplete. The phrase typically serves to introduce an explanation or key factor in a situation, but it requires a subject or context to be grammatically sound. Though common in news media and informal communication, users should aim for greater clarity by using alternatives like "The problem was that we…" or "The key was that we…". Always ensure a complete sentence structure to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the thing was, we

Rephrases the sentence structure to be grammatically correct by adding 'the thing was'

the point was, we

Similar to the original but specifies that 'point' is what's being emphasized.

the problem was, we

Highlights that a problem or difficulty was the central issue.

our hope was that we

Emphasizes hope as the feeling or expectation.

all that mattered was that we

Emphasizes that only the mentioned aspect had importance.

the secret was that we

Emphasizes that the following explanation was something hidden or not generally known.

the idea was that we

Highlights the initial idea or plan.

the issue was that we

Focuses specifically on the issue or challenge faced.

the consensus was that we

This option means “everyone’s agreement”.

our feeling was that we

Expresses the sense or opinion that a group shared.

FAQs

How can I properly use "was that we" in a sentence?

To use "was that we" correctly, ensure you include a subject before "was". For example, "The main concern "was that we" were unprepared" is grammatically sound.

What's a better way to start a sentence than with "was that we"?

Instead of starting with "was that we", try phrases like "The problem "was that we"…", "The key "was that we"…", or "Our main goal "was that we"…" for clearer communication.

Is it ever grammatically correct to use "was that we"?

While commonly found, "was that we" often requires restructuring for grammatical correctness. It's typically part of a larger clause where a subject precedes "was", such as "The challenge "was that we" lacked resources".

What can I say instead of "was that we" if I want to emphasize a specific issue?

To emphasize a specific issue, consider alternatives like "The real problem "was that we"", "The central issue "was that we"", or "The main difficulty "was that we"".