we were alarmed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were alarmed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a feeling of concern or fear in response to a situation or event. Example: "When we heard the loud explosion, we were alarmed and immediately called for help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Of course we were alarmed.

The New York Times

"We were alarmed," a third person said.

The Guardian

We were alarmed by a recent dispatch in the N.Y.

The New Yorker

We were alarmed by our findings of mentorship failure and a dearth of continuous dialog with experienced researchers.

Nature

"I left and others left because we were alarmed that Jeff would mismanage this organization as he mismanaged the campaign," Sandberg said.

The Guardian

"I left and others left because we were alarmed that Jeff would mismanage this organization as he mismanaged the campaign," she told the New York Times.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

We are alarmed by this initiative.

The Guardian - Opinion

We have come together quickly because we are alarmed.

University of California, Berkeley

We are alarmed that expectations for COP17 are so low.

The Guardian

"We are alarmed … We have asked the German government for information".

The Guardian - Business

Why should we be alarmed by the pattern and nature of boys' friendships?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were alarmed" when you want to convey a sense of sudden concern or fear in response to a specific event or piece of information. Ensure the context clearly indicates what caused the alarm.

Common error

Avoid using "we were alarmed" without clearly specifying what prompted the feeling. Ambiguity can confuse the reader and diminish the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were alarmed" functions as an independent clause expressing a state of heightened concern or fear. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression. Examples show it used to convey reactions to surprising or disturbing events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science & Research

9%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were alarmed" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a feeling of sudden concern or fear, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's most frequently used in news and media contexts to convey reactions to surprising or disturbing events. While direct, it's important to clearly specify what caused the alarm to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "we were concerned" or "we felt anxious" can be used to express similar sentiments with varying degrees of intensity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were concerned

A more subdued way of expressing worry or unease.

we became fearful

Emphasizes the feeling of fear that arose in response to a situation.

we were worried

Similar to "concerned" but can imply a deeper level of anxiety.

we felt anxious

Replaces "alarmed" with a more general term for anxiety, suggesting a milder level of concern.

we were scared

A more direct and simple way of expressing fear.

we were frightened

Similar to "scared" but can suggest a more intense or sudden feeling of fear.

we were disturbed

Indicates a feeling of having been disrupted or unsettled by something.

we were apprehensive

Indicates a feeling of unease about something that might happen in the future.

we grew uneasy

Suggests a gradual increase in discomfort and concern.

we took fright

A more formal or literary way to say "we were scared."

FAQs

What does "we were alarmed" mean?

The phrase "we were alarmed" indicates that a group of people experienced a sudden feeling of fear, concern, or anxiety, usually in response to something unexpected or threatening.

What can I say instead of "we were alarmed"?

You can use alternatives like "we were concerned", "we were worried", or "we felt anxious" depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "we were alarmed by" grammatically correct?

Yes, "we were alarmed by" is grammatically correct. It's often followed by a noun or noun phrase that specifies the cause of the alarm (e.g., "We were alarmed by the sudden noise.").

What's the difference between "we were alarmed" and "we were surprised"?

"We were alarmed" suggests a feeling of fear or concern, whereas "we were surprised" simply indicates astonishment or unexpectedness. Alarm implies a negative or threatening element, while surprise does not necessarily.