we had wounded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we had wounded" is grammatically correct but may not be commonly used in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing past events where individuals were injured, often in a narrative or historical context. Example: "In the battle, we had wounded several enemy soldiers before retreating."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

We had wounded, we had dead.

The New Yorker

Or: "After every gunfight we would enter the rebel camp, killing those we had wounded".

The New York Times - Books

Even a 2-2 draw felt like a victory because it had been such a difficult season, and we knew we had wounded our local rivals in Tottenham.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I haven't killed anyone with it," he added, "but we have wounded many".

BBC

We had wounds from previous skirmishes.

The New Yorker

They had wounded Sgt. Kevin Rice and Spec.

The New York Times

You have wounded my wife!

The New Yorker

In the present report, we have used wounded HSEs to study the capacity of SAP scaffolds that are combined with EGF, to modulate the wound healing rate in tissues that closely mimic the human wound response in vivo.

Plosone

"We have been wounded and it is a time now for healing," he continued.

The New York Times - Arts

He took a radio call "from the east side of the building: 'We've got wounded here,' it said.

The Guardian

"The fight is ongoing; the roads are blocked; we have admitted wounded to the hospital, both military and civilian," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "we had wounded", ensure the context clearly establishes the 'we' and the object of the wounding. This prevents ambiguity and enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "we had wounded" metaphorically unless the context is exceptionally clear and the intention is to evoke a strong sense of physical harm. Overuse in figurative contexts can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we had wounded" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect tense. It typically describes a completed action of inflicting injuries prior to another point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we had wounded" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression used to describe a past action of inflicting injuries. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with some usage in science. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the actors and recipients of the action. While grammatically sound, consider context-appropriate alternatives like "we had injured" or "we caused injury to", especially in less formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we had injured

A more general term, implying harm but not necessarily a wound.

we caused injury to

More formal and specific, emphasizing the causation of the injury.

we inflicted wounds upon

Formal alternative, emphasizing the act of causing wounds.

we had hurt

Even more general, suggesting any kind of harm, physical or emotional.

we had harmed

Similar to 'hurt', but can also apply to damage done to reputation or property.

we had incapacitated

Focuses on the result of the injury, rendering someone unable to function.

we had impaired

Implies a lessening of function or ability.

we had maimed

Implies a severe and lasting injury, often involving loss of limb or function.

we had debilitated

Focuses on weakening someone, either temporarily or permanently.

we had afflicted

Suggests a more widespread or continuous harm.

FAQs

How can I use "we had wounded" in a sentence?

Use "we had wounded" to describe a past event where your group caused injuries to others. For example, "In the skirmish, "we had wounded" several combatants".

What can I say instead of "we had wounded"?

You can use alternatives like "we had injured", "we caused injury to", or "we inflicted wounds upon", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "we had wounded" or "we were wounding"?

"We had wounded" indicates a completed action in the past (past perfect tense), while "we were wounding" suggests an ongoing action in the past (past continuous tense). The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "we had wounded" and "we wounded"?

"We had wounded" implies that the wounding occurred before another point in the past, whereas "we wounded" simply states that the action of wounding happened in the past. The past perfect tense emphasizes the sequence of events.