we got to know

USAGE SUMMARY

"We got to know" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that you obtained information or knowledge about something. For example: "We got to know about the company's plans for expansion during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We got to know each other again.

Independent

We got to know that.

The New York Times - Arts

We got to know them.

The New York Times - Travel

We got to know people.

The Guardian

We got to know each other's family.

The Guardian - Books

We got to know them all.

The New York Times - Sports

Little by little, we got to know each other.

The New York Times

We got to know that three were killed.

The Guardian

We lost a talent before we got to know her.

The New Yorker

That's how we got to know each other".

The New York Times

That's where we got to know each other.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we got to know" to describe the process of becoming familiar with someone or something over a period of time. This phrase is suitable for informal to neutral contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "we got to know" when you simply mean "we know". The phrase implies a process of discovery or familiarization, not just a state of knowledge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we got to know" functions as a verb phrase indicating the process of becoming acquainted with someone or something. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts, from personal relationships to understanding complex systems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we got to know" is a versatile phrase used to describe the process of developing familiarity, understanding, or a relationship. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. While it's suitable for many contexts, from news articles to personal anecdotes, it's important to use it appropriately to convey a sense of gradual understanding rather than simply stating a fact. For more formal situations, consider alternatives like "we became acquainted". With a neutral register and high frequency, "we got to know" remains a valuable part of everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we learned about

A more general term for gaining information.

we found out about

Similar to 'learned about' but can imply a more accidental discovery.

we became acquainted

Replaces "got to know" with a more formal synonym for becoming familiar.

we became familiar with

Similar to 'we became acquainted' but slightly less formal.

we familiarized ourselves with

Indicates a deliberate effort to learn or understand something.

we developed an understanding of

Indicates a gradual and thorough process of learning.

we grew to understand

Emphasizes a gradual process of developing comprehension.

we discovered

Highlights the element of finding out something new.

we came to realize

Focuses on achieving a state of awareness or understanding.

we established a rapport

Implies developing a friendly and harmonious relationship.

FAQs

How can I use "we got to know" in a sentence?

You can use "we got to know" to describe the process of becoming familiar with someone or something. For example, "Through the project, "we got to know" the team members very well".

What's a more formal alternative to "we got to know"?

More formal alternatives include "we became acquainted" or "we became familiar with". These options are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it correct to say "we get to know" instead of "we got to know"?

The tense depends on the context. "We get to know" implies a future or habitual action, while "we got to know" refers to a past action. For example, "We get to know new people at every conference" (future/habitual) vs. "We got to know each other during the training session" (past).

What's the difference between "we got to know" and "we learned"?

"We got to know" implies a deeper understanding or familiarity developed over time, while "we learned" simply means we acquired information. For example, "We got to know the city's history by exploring its neighborhoods", versus "We learned the capital of France in geography class".