we got referred

USAGE SUMMARY

"we got referred" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when indicating that someone directed you to another person or service for assistance or information. Example: "After our meeting, we got referred to a specialist for further advice." Alternative expressions include "we were referred" and "we received a referral."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now, whenever we get referred to as "the house journal of the Labour party", I know we've done something that has really annoyed the rightwing press.

The Guardian - Opinion

The apartment was decent, though my room quite often got referred to as The Cell in emails sent home.

The Guardian

He first went to his primary care physician, but eventually got referred to the hospital for a brain scan.

TechCrunch

"Really?" (I even got referred to my own blog for support, which, I have to admit, was pretty amusing).

Huffington Post

Secondary analyses will examine outcomes by treatment received, namely whether participants got referred to falls services.

BMJ Open

I didn't get diagnosed until I got referred through another specialist and had my first surgery".

BMC Women's Health

"Working in the accounting industry means we often get referred to by clients of banks and investment firms," he said.

The Guardian - Money

So you get referred to Dr. Schneider".

The New Yorker

They just get referred to by their quad size.

The New York Times - Sports

Those who do get referred undergo physical and psychological evaluation.

The New York Times

Their judgment heavily influences which patients get referred to surgeons.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for "we were referred" when writing formal reports, medical case studies or academic papers to maintain a professional tone.

Common error

Writers often use "we got referred" in academic or legal documents where the 'get-passive' can be perceived as too casual or imprecise. In these instances, always prefer the 'be-passive' form or an active construction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we got referred" functions as a passive construction where the auxiliary verb "get" is used instead of the traditional "be". This is known in linguistics as the get-passive. In the examples provided by Ludwig, this structure highlights the result of the action (receiving a referral) rather than the person who initiated it.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Analysis of the query "we got referred" shows that it is a widely accepted and correct English phrase, particularly within the get-passive framework. While Ludwig AI notes that it is common across various high-quality domains like The New York Times and Science journals, it remains slightly more informal than the traditional "we were referred". It is most frequently used to describe a patient or client's journey through a system. Writers should feel confident using it in journalistic, personal or neutral contexts but may want to consider more formal alternatives for strictly academic or business correspondence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were referred

Uses the standard 'be' passive, which is more appropriate for formal and academic writing than the 'get' passive.

we received a referral

Shifts to a noun-based structure, sounding more administrative and official.

they referred us

An active voice construction that identifies the source of the referral.

we were recommended

Slightly different connotation, suggesting a positive endorsement rather than a simple procedural referral.

we were directed

Implies being given instructions or a path to follow, often used in professional contexts.

a referral was made for us

Extremely formal passive voice that focuses entirely on the referral as a completed action.

we got a recommendation

Similar informal 'get' structure but replaces 'referral' with 'recommendation'.

we were sent

A simpler, more direct way to describe being transferred from one professional to another.

we were put forward

Often used when being nominated or suggested for a specific opportunity or role.

someone referred us

The most generic active voice alternative when the specific agent is unknown or unimportant.

FAQs

Is "we got referred" correct to use in a sentence?

Yes, "we got referred" is a correct use of the get-passive construction. According to Ludwig, it is common in journalism and news media to describe being directed to a service or specialist.

What is the difference between "we got referred" and "we were referred"?

The primary difference is tone. "we got referred" is more informal and emphasizes the change in state or the process, while "we were referred" is the standard formal passive voice preferred in professional writing.

Can I use "we got referred" in a medical report?

While understandable, it is better to use "we received a referral" or "the patient was referred" in clinical or medical documentation to ensure objectivity and professionalism.

What can I say instead of "we got referred" for a business email?

In a business context, you might say "we were directed" to you by a colleague or "we were put in touch" with your team.