we said goodbye

USAGE SUMMARY

'we said goodbye' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when expressing departure from a person, place, or situation. For example, "We said goodbye and went our separate ways."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

We said goodbye.

The New Yorker

And we said goodbye.

The New York Times

Then we said goodbye.

The New York Times

Before we said goodbye, she remembered something else about Fawcett.

The New Yorker

He gave me another hug and we said goodbye.

The New Yorker

And so we said goodbye and he left.

The Guardian

Back at the dock we said goodbye, reluctantly, to Alex.

The Guardian - Travel

We said goodbye to French "new novelist" Alain Robbe-Grillet.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

We said 'goodbye' to our beloved boy, our man child, our deeply courageous soldier.

Huffington Post

He tried to compose himself, and we said goodbye to Ali.

The New Yorker

We said goodbye amicably, but he avoided my eyes.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when choosing synonyms. "We bade farewell" is more formal than "we said goodbye".

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "we said goodbye". Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms or rephrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "we said goodbye" is to express a completed action of bidding farewell. It indicates the termination of an interaction or relationship, and as Ludwig AI confirms, it’s correct and commonly used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we said goodbye" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe a farewell. As Ludwig AI has pointed out, it's a standard expression for indicating the end of an interaction or relationship. Predominantly found in News & Media, this phrase maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for diverse contexts. When writing, remember to use it to clearly signal a conclusion, and consider synonyms like "we parted ways" for stylistic variation. Avoid overuse in close proximity to maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we parted ways

This alternative suggests a separation or divergence of paths.

we exchanged farewells

This suggests a mutual exchange of goodbyes.

we bade farewell

This is a more formal and literary way to say goodbye.

we took our leave

Similar to "we bade farewell", this phrase implies a formal departure.

we wished each other well and departed

This is a more descriptive and elaborate way of expressing a polite farewell.

we waved goodbye

This alternative specifies the gesture used during the farewell.

we concluded our visit

This alternative highlights the end of a visit, signifying departure.

we ended our meeting

This phrase focuses on the conclusion of a meeting, implying a departure.

we left

A simpler, more direct way of saying they departed.

we finished our conversation

This phrase emphasizes the end of a conversation before leaving.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "we said goodbye"?

You can use alternatives like "we parted ways", "we bade farewell", or "we took our leave" depending on the context.

Is "we said goodbye to each other" redundant?

While technically not incorrect, "we said goodbye to each other" can be seen as slightly redundant. The phrase "we said goodbye" already implies a mutual farewell. However, including "to each other" can emphasize the reciprocity of the act.

Can "we said goodbye" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "we said goodbye" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. It is a neutral and widely accepted expression.

Is there a difference between "we said goodbye" and "we have said goodbye"?

Yes, "we said goodbye" is in the simple past tense, indicating a completed action in the past. "We have said goodbye" is in the present perfect tense, indicating an action that started in the past and has relevance to the present. The latter might imply a more permanent separation.