we

USAGE SUMMARY

"we" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a pronoun that can be used to refer to two or more people, including yourself and at least one other person. For example: We decided to go to the park on Saturday morning.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That's what we need.

The New York Times - Sports

"We couldn't believe it.

The Guardian

We shall see.

The New York Times

"We will fight.

The New Yorker

We will also ensure that if there are any lessons to be learned, they are shared as soon as possible.

The Guardian

"Although the investigation is in its early stages, we will take action to protect the public if we uncover evidence that could affect the safety of other rides at the park or elsewhere".

The Guardian

"We're working hard over the holiday period to make the necessary adjustments to our timetable as a consequence, and to provide as much information as we can".

The Guardian - Business

"We did it.

The Guardian - Sport

"We didn't get that".

The New York Times

"East Coast is particularly sorry, too, for the inconvenience to its customers as a result on what we know is an already very busy travel day immediately following the Christmas break.

The Guardian - Business

As the Global Times is an offshoot of the Chinese Communist party's official newspaper, the People's Daily, we can assume its blunt diagnosis reflects the governmental view.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, clearly define who "we" refers to in your context to avoid ambiguity. Is it a company, a team, or a general group of people?

Common error

Avoid using "we" without a clear referent. Ensure your audience knows exactly who or what "we" represents to prevent confusion and maintain clarity in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "we" is to serve as a first-person plural pronoun. As supported by Ludwig AI, it is used to indicate that the speaker or writer is including themselves in a group. Examples from Ludwig show it used in phrases like "We will fight" and "We are used to it."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the pronoun "we" functions as a first-person plural pronoun, indicating the speaker or writer and at least one other person. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. It is very common, especially in News & Media. When using "we", ensure clarity about who is being included. Understanding common errors and best practices ensures effective communication. As the Ludwig examples demonstrate, the meaning of "we" can range from referring to a small team to an entire community or even country, requiring careful consideration of context.

Alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Us

Functions as the objective case of "we", indicating the recipients of an action.

Our team

Focuses specifically on a team, emphasizing a collaborative unit.

The group

Refers to a collection of individuals, potentially more formal than "we".

The community

Emphasizes a shared location, identity, or set of interests.

The people

Refers to a larger group of individuals, often within a specific region or nation.

The company

Identifies a business or organization as a collective entity.

FAQs

How do I use "we" in a sentence?

Use "we" as a first-person plural pronoun to refer to yourself and at least one other person. For example, "We are going to the store" indicates that you and others will be going.

What are some alternatives to "we"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "our team", "the group", or "the community" to refer to a collective.

When is it appropriate to use "we" in formal writing?

In formal writing, "we" is appropriate when referring to a collective such as a company, research team, or organization. Ensure the reference is clear and consistent throughout the document.

Is it correct to use "we" to refer to myself?

While less common, "we" can refer to the speaker alone, typically in formal or rhetorical contexts (so-called 'royal we') or when speaking on behalf of an entity. It is generally better to use "I" or "me" when talking about yourself.