we found him

USAGE SUMMARY

'we found him' is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as telling a story, giving an update, or explaining a situation. Here are a few examples: - "After hours of searching, we finally found him hiding in the closet." - "We found him wandering aimlessly on the streets, disoriented and confused." - "It was a relief when we found him safe and sound in his room." - "Despite our efforts, we were unable to find him in the crowded market." - "We searched high and low, but in the end, we found him hiding under the bed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"And we found him".

The New York Times - Arts

So we went, "We found him".

The New York Times

"We found him," he said.

The New York Times

We found him very funny".

The Guardian

"But we found him this morning.

The New York Times - Magazine

At one point, we found him gazing at his iPhone.

The New Yorker

We found him to be a genial & questionably knowledgeable professor.

The New Yorker

We found him in his home, a shack on stilts.

The New York Times

"We found him dead in there the next morning".

The New York Times

It's Connor, we found him unconscious in the bath.

The Guardian

We found him looking into the Dorothy Gray window.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we found him" to clearly and directly state the act of locating someone. This is especially useful in narratives, reports, and factual accounts where clarity is paramount.

Common error

Avoid using "we found him" when a passive construction is more appropriate. For example, instead of "We found him to be an excellent candidate", consider "He was found to be an excellent candidate" if the emphasis is on the candidate rather than the act of finding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we found him" primarily functions as a declarative statement, reporting the action of locating or discovering someone. It typically serves as the main verb phrase within a sentence, conveying a specific event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we found him" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for reporting the act of locating someone. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its neutral register and applicability across various contexts make it a versatile choice for both formal and informal writing. The phrase commonly appears in news reports and narratives, serving to inform the reader about the successful completion of a search or investigation. While alternatives like "we located him" or "we discovered him" exist, "we found him" remains a clear and direct way to convey the act of finding someone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we located him

Focuses on the act of pinpointing someone's position.

he was found by us

Passive voice construction of the original phrase.

we discovered him

Implies uncovering someone previously unknown or hidden.

we recovered him

Implies finding someone who was lost or missing.

we tracked him down

Suggests a more persistent and effortful search.

we ran into him

Similar to "we came across him", it denotes a chance meeting.

we came across him

Indicates a chance encounter.

we encountered him

A more formal way of saying we met him.

we identified him

Focuses on confirming someone's identity.

we detected him

Suggests finding someone through technological or sensory means.

FAQs

How can I use "we found him" in a sentence?

You can use "we found him" in various contexts, such as "After searching for hours, we found him safe and sound", or "During the investigation, we found him to be the key witness".

What are some alternatives to "we found him"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "we located him", "we discovered him", or "we tracked him down".

Is it correct to say "we found him" or should I use another tense?

The past tense "we found him" is correct when referring to a completed action of finding someone. The appropriate tense depends on the specific context and timeline of events.

What's the difference between "we found him" and "we met him"?

"We found him" implies locating someone who was previously lost, hidden, or unknown, while "we met him" simply means we encountered someone for the first time. You can use "we encountered him" as a more neutral way of saying that.