we have been through

USAGE SUMMARY

"we have been through" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate that the speaker and someone else have experienced or endured something together. Example: "We have been through many challenges together, but our friendship remains strong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We have been through so much together.

Independent

We have been through a lot, people.

The New York Times

We have been through enough already.

Independent

We have been through hell, my family".

The New York Times

We have been through this before.

The New York Times

We have been through worse and survived.

The New Yorker

"We have been through ups and downs".

The Guardian - Sport

We have been through all this before.

The New York Times

However, we have been through this before.

The Guardian - Opinion

We have been through the fire before".

The New York Times

We have been through several different contractors".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we have been through" to emphasize a shared experience, especially one that involved hardship or significant events. It strengthens the sense of connection between the speaker and the audience.

Common error

While grammatically sound, using "we have been through" in overly casual or trivial situations can sound melodramatic. Reserve it for situations where the shared experience was genuinely impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we have been through" functions as a declarative statement indicating that the speaker and others have shared a common experience. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a grammatically correct phrase used to convey shared experiences, often hardships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we have been through" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that emphasizes a shared experience, often involving hardship. As Ludwig AI points out, its grammatical status is correct. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, indicating its broad applicability. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse in trivial situations, as highlighted in the writing guidance. Alternative phrases, such as "we have experienced" or "we have faced", can provide subtle variations in meaning. The phrase is generally neutral in formality and serves to strengthen bonds through shared history.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we've experienced

This alternative is a shorter, more direct way of expressing the same idea, omitting "been".

we've undergone

This alternative is slightly more formal and emphasizes a process or transformation.

we've encountered

This alternative highlights facing challenges or obstacles together.

we've faced

This focuses on confronting difficulties or hardships together.

we have lived through

This alternative emphasizes survival and enduring a particular event or period.

we've shared

This alternative highlights the commonality of an experience, good or bad.

we have seen

This alternative focuses on witnessing or observing events together.

we mutually endured

More formal and emphasizes shared suffering or hardship.

we jointly experienced

This emphasizes the shared nature of the experience.

we collectively weathered

This alternative evokes the image of enduring a storm or difficult situation together.

FAQs

What does "we have been through" mean?

The phrase "we have been through" means that the speaker and at least one other person have shared a significant experience, often implying hardship or a series of events that have shaped their relationship or understanding.

How can I use "we have been through" in a sentence?

You can use "we have been through" to refer to shared experiences, as in "We have been through a lot together, and it has made us stronger" or "After all "we have been through", I know we can overcome this challenge".

What are some alternatives to "we have been through"?

Alternatives to "we have been through" include "we have experienced", "we have undergone", or "we have faced", depending on the specific context.

Is "we have been through" formal or informal?

The phrase "we have been through" is generally considered neutral in formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the situation and the tone you wish to convey.