we called ourselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we called ourselves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a name or identity that a group has chosen for itself. Example: "In our community, we called ourselves the Green Warriors, dedicated to environmental conservation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We called ourselves the Turks.

The New Yorker

We called ourselves 'Johnny's girls' .C.

The Economist

"We called ourselves the humanities proletariat.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We called ourselves the M.M. Shield".

The New Yorker

"We called ourselves the world's oldest trio," he said.

The New York Times

"We called ourselves black at the Royal Court.

The Guardian - Books

We called ourselves the Left Behind and spoke in broken English.

The New Yorker

When we called ourselves anti-authoritarian, we were fighting against a very different society".

The New York Times

"In the beginning, we called ourselves the Universal Player Haters," Star said, slipping off his headphones.

The New York Times - Style

"We called ourselves unmanned systems, not unmanned air vehicles," he said.

The New York Times

We called ourselves the physical culture club because we did a bit more than just swimming.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we called ourselves", ensure the context clearly indicates who the 'we' refers to. This avoids ambiguity and maintains clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses when discussing what "we called ourselves". If you're writing in the past tense, maintain consistency. For example, don't write: "We called ourselves the Avengers, and today we are still fighting crime."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we called ourselves" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a past action of naming or identifying a group. Ludwig shows numerous examples where this phrase introduces a self-chosen name or label. The phrase introduces a self-given title or designation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we called ourselves" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a past self-given name or identity. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is to provide context or explain historical labels. Appearing most frequently in news and media sources, its register is generally neutral, suitable for a variety of writing styles. When using the phrase, ensuring clarity about the referent of 'we' is crucial for avoiding ambiguity. Common alternatives include phrases like "we identified as" or "we referred to ourselves as".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we identified as

Focuses on the act of identifying with a specific group or label, emphasizing association.

we referred to ourselves as

Emphasizes the act of referring or alluding to oneself using a particular term.

we styled ourselves

Highlights the deliberate act of presenting or fashioning oneself in a specific way.

we knew ourselves as

Focuses on internal recognition or understanding of oneself under a certain identity.

we considered ourselves

Indicates a subjective assessment or perception of oneself.

our group was known as

Shifts the focus to external recognition or labeling of a group.

we went by the name of

Highlights the name or designation used for identification.

we were self-proclaimed

Emphasizes the act of declaring or announcing one's identity.

we designated ourselves

Highlights the formal act of assigning a label to oneself.

we labeled ourselves

Focuses on the act of assigning a descriptive term to oneself.

FAQs

What does "we called ourselves" mean?

The phrase "we called ourselves" means that a group of people or an individual is explaining what they used to name or identify themselves in the past. It indicates a self-chosen label or designation.

How can I use "we called ourselves" in a sentence?

You can use "we called ourselves" to explain what a group or individual used to be known as. For example: "Back in high school, "we called ourselves" the Mathletes."

What are some alternatives to "we called ourselves"?

Some alternatives include "we referred to ourselves as", "we identified as", or "we were known as". For instance, instead of saying ""we called ourselves" the Dream Team", you could say "we referred to ourselves as the Dream Team".

Is it correct to say "we called us" instead of "we called ourselves"?

No, it is not correct. "We called us" is grammatically incorrect because the reflexive pronoun "ourselves" is needed when the subject and object of the verb are the same. The correct phrasing is ""we called ourselves"".