we stayed friends

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'we stayed friends' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe a relationship that has remained friendly despite going through a difficult time. For example, "Although we had a falling out, we stayed friends and still keep in touch today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"We stayed friends".

The New York Times

Then: "We stayed friends.

The New York Times

"We just became friends, and we stayed friends".

The Guardian - Arts

We stayed friends, over the years — a friendship that began with my admiration for her great work.

The New Yorker

A. Noah and I went to Central High School in Philadelphia and we stayed friends through college.

The New York Times

We stayed friends for a few years, sending cards and then e-mails on birthdays and Christmas until eventually they tapered off.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"And gays?" "We stay friends.

The New York Times - Books

Will we stay friends?" As I stood there looking at Saint Phalle's childlike drawings, I was surprised to find myself bawling.

The New Yorker

That's what we do, we stay friends.

Huffington Post

But neither of us ever ended up marrying anyone else, and we always stayed friends and expected to get back together one day, and we almost did, at the end," says Crystal, her voice starting to catch.

The Guardian - Music

We've stayed friends.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we stayed friends", ensure the context clearly indicates what changes occurred that might have disrupted the friendship. For instance, "Despite the business partnership dissolving, "we stayed friends"".

Common error

Avoid using "we stayed friends" as a generic statement after a breakup or disagreement without providing specific details. This can sound insincere. Instead, illustrate how you maintained the friendship: "Even after the romantic relationship ended, we made an effort to support each other's goals, and "we stayed friends" and supportive colleagues."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we stayed friends" functions as a statement indicating the continuation of a friendly relationship. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's a common phrase used to convey that a friendship has persisted despite potential challenges. Examples show its use after breakups, business dissolutions, or other significant life changes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we stayed friends" is a common expression used to communicate that a friendly relationship has continued, often despite circumstances that could have led to its end. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While it appears most frequently in news and media, its usage is generally neutral and serves to reassure or clarify the nature of a relationship. For alternatives, consider phrases like "we remained friends" or "we maintained a friendship", depending on the specific context and desired emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and avoid overusing it as a generic statement. Focus on providing context to support the claim of continued friendship.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we continued to be friends

A more descriptive way to express the continuity of friendship with 'continued'.

we maintained a friendship

Focuses on the active effort to "maintain" the friendship, highlighting conscious effort.

our relationship remained friendly

Uses "relationship" instead of "friendship", broadening the scope to include non-romantic connections.

we remained amicable

Replaces "friends" with a more formal adjective, "amicable", emphasizing a polite and friendly relationship.

we upheld our friendship

Replaces the verb 'stayed' with 'upheld' to highlight the active effort to maintain the relationship.

we kept in touch as friends

Emphasizes continued communication, implying distance or changed circumstances.

we fostered a lasting friendship

More vividly expresses the intent to preserve a friendship with 'fostered'.

our friendship endured

Highlights the longevity and resilience of the friendship over time or hardship.

we never lost our connection

Uses connection in place of friendship to convey the long-term nature of the relationship.

we preserved our bond

Uses "bond" to signify a deep connection maintained despite challenges.

FAQs

What does it mean to say "we stayed friends"?

Saying "we stayed friends" means that a friendly relationship was maintained despite circumstances that could have ended it, such as a breakup, disagreement, or significant life change.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "we stayed friends"?

It's appropriate to use "we stayed friends" when you want to emphasize the continuation of a friendly relationship after a potentially disruptive event. It's particularly useful when clarifying that a negative event didn't ruin the relationship.

Are there alternative ways to express that "we stayed friends"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "we remained friends", "we maintained a friendship", or "our friendship endured" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always believable when someone says "we stayed friends"?

While "we stayed friends" is often said, its believability depends on the context and the individuals involved. Actions that support the statement, like continued communication and mutual support, enhance its credibility.