we are overcome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we are overcome" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a feeling of being overwhelmed or affected deeply by emotions or circumstances. Example: "After hearing the news of the charity's success, we are overcome with joy and gratitude."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

We are overcome with anxiety and helplessness.

The Guardian

We are overcome with sadness at the loss of our dearest friend Myrna.

The New York Times

Here, as at Auschwitz and many other places in Europe, we are overcome by the echo of the heart-rending laments of so many.

The New York Times

We are overcome, Sir, at what Joanna Trollope has done to Jane Austen in her updated version of Sense and Sensibility, the first of five mooted retools.

The Guardian - Books

As a Massachusetts private wrote his wife, "'I do feel that the liberty of the world is placed in our hands to defend and if we are overcome then farewell to freedom.'" Mitchel Thompson did not survive the war.

The New York Times

When we are overcome with a desire to create a piece of software to fix one aspect of the world that's in need of repair, we really want to go straight at it.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

We must continue to do that, to show we are overcoming injustice, and setbacks.

The Guardian - Opinion

In this project, we are overcoming these limitations and developing an ACS development environment that improves the way algorithm developers map their algorithms to Adaptive Computing Systems.

University of California, Berkeley

We are overcoming these challenges by staying close to local NGOs and community leaders, and by making the product easier and more engaging.

Forbes

We are overcoming able people.

Huffington Post

We have not just hope, but evidence that we are overcoming our differences and sharing in the common good.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we are overcome" to express a profound emotional or psychological impact on a group, ensuring the context clearly indicates what is causing this state. This phrase is appropriate when conveying feelings of being overwhelmed by sadness, joy, or other strong emotions.

Common error

Avoid using "we are overcome" in contexts where a simpler, more direct expression of feeling would be more appropriate. For example, saying "we are overcome" when you simply mean "we are happy" can sound overly dramatic or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we are overcome" functions as a declarative statement expressing a shared emotional or psychological state. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is deemed grammatically correct, serving to convey that a group is profoundly affected by a particular feeling or circumstance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we are overcome" is a grammatically correct and usable expression indicating a state of being overwhelmed or deeply affected. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this phrase frequently appears in News & Media contexts, and to a lesser extent, in Science and Formal & Business settings. While not extremely common, the phrase is well-suited for conveying intense emotional responses such as gratitude, sadness, or despair. When using the phrase, consider whether a simpler expression might be more appropriate to avoid sounding overly dramatic. If you're looking for alternatives, consider synonyms such as "we are overwhelmed" or "we are deeply affected".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are overwhelmed

Replaces "overcome" with a more direct synonym, emphasizing the feeling of being inundated.

we are deeply affected

Focuses on the profound impact something has had on the group.

we are moved

Highlights the emotional response and the feeling of being touched by something.

we are swayed

Implies being influenced or persuaded by something.

we are defeated

Suggests a loss of control or being conquered by a force.

we are conquered

Similar to "defeated", but with a stronger connotation of subjugation.

we are overpowered

Emphasizes the superior strength or force of what's affecting the group.

we are subdued

Suggests being brought under control or quieted.

we are crushed

Implies a devastating emotional or psychological impact.

we are bowled over

An informal expression for being greatly impressed or surprised.

FAQs

How can I use "we are overcome" in a sentence?

You can use "we are overcome" to express a profound emotional reaction or feeling of being overwhelmed. For example, "We are overcome with gratitude for your generous support."

What's the difference between "we are overcome" and "we are overwhelmed"?

While both phrases indicate being intensely affected, "we are overcome" often suggests a deeper, more emotional experience, whereas "we are overwhelmed" implies being burdened by too much of something. You can use alternatives like "we are overwhelmed" depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "we are overcome"?

You can use alternatives like "we are moved", "we are deeply affected", or "we are swayed", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "we are overcome by"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "we are overcome by". This construction indicates that the feeling or state is caused by something specific. For example, "We are overcome by sadness."