we got ourselves

USAGE SUMMARY

"we got ourselves" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to something that you and one or more other people have done for yourselves or have obtained by your own efforts. For example: "We got ourselves lost in the woods and had to find our way out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We got ourselves ahead twice.

Independent

But we got ourselves off the hook".

The New York Times - Sports

"We got ourselves into this situation.

The Guardian

"We got ourselves into something," Brigham went on.

The New Yorker

The fact is we got ourselves into this mess".

The New York Times

It's how we got ourselves into this mess".

The New York Times

"The few supplies we did have, we got ourselves".

The Guardian

We got ourselves into a mess, like some other banks.

The Guardian - Opinion

We got ourselves a real five-alarm mess up in Washington... But, folks, it's simple.

The New Yorker

"We got ourselves to 4-0 and could not quite finish it off.

Independent

We got ourselves in a position to win from two goals down.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we got ourselves" when you want to emphasize the collective effort or responsibility of a group in achieving a certain outcome or finding themselves in a particular situation.

Common error

Avoid using possessive pronouns like "our" when a reflexive pronoun ("ourselves") is needed. "We got our tickets" is different from "We got ourselves tickets"; the latter implies obtaining tickets specifically for the group.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we got ourselves" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that a group of people has either obtained something or ended up in a specific situation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English. It expresses a collective action and its direct impact on the group involved.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we got ourselves" is a versatile verbal phrase used to express a group's actions that lead to a certain result or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used, especially in news and media. While the register is mostly neutral, the phrase effectively communicates both positive achievements and less desirable consequences. Remember to use it when emphasizing the collective effort or responsibility of a group. Be mindful of potential confusion with possessive pronouns and consider more formal alternatives like "we obtained" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we have gotten ourselves

Uses the present perfect tense to emphasize the ongoing relevance of the action.

we found ourselves

Focuses more on the resulting state or situation, rather than the action leading to it.

we have put ourselves

Focuses on the action of positioning and the resulting consequences.

we placed ourselves

Emphasizes the act of intentionally positioning oneself or a group.

we maneuvered ourselves

Highlights a calculated or strategic effort to get to a place or position.

we managed to get

Highlights the effort and success in obtaining or achieving something.

we succeeded in getting

Underscores the successful attainment of a specific goal or outcome.

we contrived to get

Implies a clever or resourceful approach to achieving a desired result.

we arranged to get

Suggests a planned or organized effort to obtain something.

we were able to get

Emphasizes the capability or ability to obtain something.

FAQs

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

The phrase "we got ourselves" is used to indicate that a group of people has obtained something or found themselves in a particular situation due to their own actions. For example, "we got ourselves into trouble" or "we got ourselves a new car".

What's a more formal way to say "we got ourselves"?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "we obtained", "we acquired", or "we found ourselves", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "we got ourselves" and "we got us"?

While "we got us" might be used informally, "we got ourselves" is grammatically correct and more widely accepted in formal writing. The reflexive pronoun "ourselves" emphasizes that the action directly benefits or affects the group.

What are some alternatives to "we got ourselves" that emphasize effort?

To emphasize the effort involved, consider using phrases such as "we worked hard to get", "we endeavored to get", or "we strived to get". These alternatives highlight the dedication and exertion that led to the result.