we both went

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we both went" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that two people went somewhere together. Example: "After the meeting, we both went to the café to discuss our project further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We both went boooom!

The New York Times

"We both went through I.V.F.

The New York Times - Magazine

And we both went, "You know what?

Independent

We both went up the tree.

The New York Times

We both went to Mexico City.

The New Yorker

We both went to the same Saturday music school.

Independent

We both went crazy, and we lost the match.

The New York Times - Sports

"I yelled, he yelled, and we both went huffing off.

The New York Times

Let's just say we both went wholeheartedly into the challenges.

The Guardian - Sport

"We both went off and married other people," she said.

The New York Times - Style

One year we both went to ski camp in France.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider replacing "we both went" with a more precise verb depending on the context, such as "we both attended", "we jointly visited", or "we both participated".

Common error

Avoid using "we both went" when the context implies separate destinations or purposes. For instance, instead of "We both went, but to different conferences", use "We each went to separate conferences".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we both went" functions as a declarative statement indicating a shared action of movement or participation. Ludwig confirms this through numerous examples, showing it used to express that two specific individuals undertook the same activity or journey. It specifies that the action was performed by two people together.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we both went" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a shared experience of traveling or attending something. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the phrase is widely accepted and understood, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, remember to choose more precise wording for formal or academic settings. As Ludwig shows, using alternatives like "we jointly travelled" or "we both participated" can increase formality and clarity in specific writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we together visited

Substitutes "went" with "visited" and uses "together" for emphasis, suitable when referring to a specific place.

we jointly travelled

Replaces "went" with the more formal "travelled" and uses "jointly" to emphasize the shared nature of the journey.

both of us attended

Replaces "we went" with "attended", indicating presence at an event or location.

we shared a trip

Focuses on the shared aspect of the journey rather than the act of going.

we made the journey together

Emphasizes the act of traveling together over a specific location.

we headed out together

Highlights the departure together.

we set off together

Emphasizes the start of a journey or activity performed jointly.

we accompanied each other

Highlights mutual companionship during the act of going.

we went as a pair

Highlights the fact they went as a duo/couple.

we proceeded in unison

Emphasizes that they went at the same time and in the same direction.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we both went" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, consider using alternatives such as "we jointly travelled", "both of us attended", or "we participated together", depending on the specific context.

Is "we both went" suitable for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "we both went" might be considered informal for academic writing. Opt for more precise and formal alternatives that clearly convey the action, like "we both attended" or "we jointly conducted" depending on the situation.

What's the difference between "we both went" and "we all went"?

"We both went" indicates that exactly two people went somewhere, while "we all went" implies that a group larger than two people went. The choice depends on the number of individuals involved.

When should I use "we both went" instead of "we went"?

Use "we both went" when you specifically want to emphasize that only two people were involved in the action of going. If the number of people is not important, "we went" is sufficient.