we always were

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we always were" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to emphasize the continuity or consistency of a particular action or characteristic in the past. Example: "Despite the challenges, we always were determined to finish the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

As we always were.

The Guardian - Books

"And that's what we always were: four friends talking".

The New York Times - Arts

"We always were left guessing as to who we were dealing with," Ms. Roppe said.

The New York Times

But – memo to Mrs May – we always were and we always will be.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We had our heads down, saying over and over: 'We're the same people we always were.

The New York Times - Arts

He was a good man and we always were great friends, yasee.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

As we always are.

The Guardian - Opinion

Must we always be?

HuffPost

Will we always be right?

Huffington Post

Must we always be likable?

Huffington Post

We always are, though we sometimes forget.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we always were" to emphasize a consistent characteristic or state of being that existed in the past and may or may not continue into the present. It's useful for highlighting identity or longstanding traits.

Common error

Avoid using "we always were" when referring to a future state or a condition that began recently. This phrase is strictly for describing past continuity, not ongoing or upcoming situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we always were" primarily functions as a statement of past identity or characteristic. Ludwig examples show it used to express a consistent state, feeling, or attribute maintained over a period in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

HuffPost

15%

The Guardian

8%

Less common in

Vice

2%

BBC

3%

Forbes

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we always were" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to emphasize a past state of being or a characteristic that persisted over time. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is correct and can be found in many different contexts. Examples from Ludwig show that it's most frequently used in news and media, as well as lifestyle and music contexts. While Ludwig identifies the register as neutral, its frequent usage across authoritative sources makes it a reliable choice for expressing continuity in the past. When writing, ensure you’re referring to a past state and not a current or future one. Alternative phrases like "we have always been" or "that's what we used to be" can provide similar emphasis with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's how we've always been

Emphasizes a continuing state or characteristic that has persisted over time.

we've remained the same

Focuses on the lack of change from a past to a present state.

we were that way all the time

Focuses on frequency and duration of a past state.

that's what we used to be

Focuses on a habitual state in the past; slightly more emphatic about a change from the present.

that's been our nature all along

Focuses on an intrinsic characteristic or disposition.

we have consistently been

Highlights the unchanging nature of some characteristic over a period of time.

we have invariably been

Implies an unvarying pattern or characteristic.

we were ever thus

A more formal or literary way of saying "we always were", implying an inherent or unchanging nature.

such were we

A concise and somewhat nostalgic way of expressing a past condition.

we were like that from the start

Emphasizes that a certain behavior or characteristic was present from the very beginning.

FAQs

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

You can use "we always were" to emphasize a continuous state or quality that existed in the past. For example, "Despite the challenges, "we always were" committed to our mission."

What's a good alternative to "we always were"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include phrases like "we have always been", "that's what we used to be", or "it's how we've always been".

Is it correct to say "we always are" instead of "we always were"?

The phrase "we always are" implies a present and continuous state, while ""we always were"" refers to a state that existed consistently in the past. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

What does "we always were" imply about the present?

The phrase ""we always were"" primarily speaks about the past. It doesn't explicitly confirm or deny that the state continues in the present, but it does suggest a strong historical consistency.