we exchanged vows

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we exchanged vows" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in the context of a wedding or commitment ceremony where two individuals make promises to each other. Example: "During the ceremony, we exchanged vows in front of our family and friends, pledging our love and commitment to one another."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

And it was there, on the romantic beaches of the Caribbean, that we exchanged vows of both love and loyalty.

The New York Times

We exchanged vows in a beautifully decorated barn, and in the evening, instead of a disco – which really wasn't our style at all – we took everyone up into the woods on a candle-lit procession to a roaring bonfire.

Independent

We planned our wedding in Vegas World, the virtual wedding bells rang in the game's chapel and we exchanged vows in front of our in-game friends.

TechCrunch

We exchanged vows as the sun set.

Huffington Post

We exchanged vows, rings and declarations of love.

Huffington Post

We exchanged vows on a downtown Manhattan rooftop.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

At their wedding, he and his wife exchanged vows and read "Here We Are" to each other.

Huffington Post

We didn't yet know what that would look like or how we would ever pull it off, but we had begun to embrace the idea that we would exchange vows in front of our friends and family.

Huffington Post

They exchanged vows under giant pinwheels.

The New York Times

They exchanged vows at a wedding in July before the marriage was legal.

The New York Times

THEY'VE already exchanged vows and rings once before, say George W. Slowik Jr. and Patrick Turner.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "we exchanged vows", ensure the context clearly indicates a wedding or commitment ceremony to avoid ambiguity. For instance, provide context such as "at our wedding" or "during the ceremony".

Common error

Avoid using incorrect tenses. For instance, instead of saying "we will exchange vows" after the ceremony has already occurred, use the past tense: "we exchanged vows".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we exchanged vows" primarily functions as a declaration or statement of a completed action. It describes a specific event within a wedding or commitment ceremony where two individuals made promises to each other. Ludwig provides examples to support this.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we exchanged vows" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood expression that describes a key moment in a wedding or commitment ceremony. As confirmed by Ludwig, it signifies the act of making promises of love and commitment. While the phrase is appropriate for various contexts, its usage is particularly prevalent in news and media reporting wedding events. Alternative phrases like "we made our promises" or "we took our wedding vows" can be used to convey similar meanings. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by providing context to indicate a wedding or commitment ceremony.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we made our promises

Focuses on the act of promising rather than the formal exchange.

we recited our marriage vows

Highlights the recitation of pre-written vows.

we took our wedding vows

Emphasizes the solemnity and commitment of the vows.

we pledged our love and fidelity

Highlights the content of the vows rather than the act of exchanging them.

we committed ourselves to each other

Focuses on the commitment aspect of the ceremony.

we formalized our commitment

Describes the official nature of the ceremony.

we said "I do"

Refers to the key affirmation made during the ceremony.

we were joined in matrimony

Emphasizes the legal and social union of marriage.

we tied the knot

An idiomatic expression for getting married.

we were united as husband and wife

Highlights the outcome of the wedding ceremony.

FAQs

What does "we exchanged vows" mean?

The phrase "we exchanged vows" means that two people made promises of love and commitment to each other during a wedding or commitment ceremony. It's a formal way of describing the act of reciting or declaring marriage vows.

What can I say instead of "we exchanged vows"?

You can use alternatives like "we made our promises", "we recited our marriage vows", or "we took our wedding vows" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "we will exchange vows"?

Yes, "we will exchange vows" is correct, but it refers to a future event. If you are describing a past event, use "we exchanged vows". Both are grammatically sound, but their usage depends on the timeframe you're referring to.

What's the difference between "we exchanged vows" and "we got married"?

"We exchanged vows" refers specifically to the act of making promises during a wedding ceremony. "We got married" is a broader statement indicating that the entire marriage process has been completed. Exchanging vows is a component of getting married.