we were allocated

USAGE SUMMARY

"we were allocated" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when you want to say that a group of people were assigned or given something, such as a responsibility or task. For example, "We were allocated the task of setting up the event room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"We were allocated different roles, which were then rotated.

The Guardian - Money

"Ever since we were allocated a property, we've been feeling more optimistic about our future".

The Guardian - Money

We were allocated different shelves, or bunk beds as some people call them.

The Guardian

With the red lipstick and chunky jewellery, she stood out, and made learning English in the tiny attic room we were allocated cool.

The Guardian

Some of the respite homes we were allocated had been rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission, but desperate people have no choice.

The Guardian - Opinion

Being non-clinical, we were allocated to "police" the streets surrounding the hospital and look after pedestrians and car drivers, making sure they had an exit route through closed streets.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"We were allocating lots of capital to opportunities that were not fruitful," recalls Paul Fletcher, today director of corporate and regulatory affairs at Optus.

Forbes

We were allocating 30 minute time slots to all patients but we realised that we could segregate the patients into categories of 15 and 30 minute time slots.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

In a blistering and disturbing revival of a discomforting work, the audience is cleverly reduced to "a number" (we're allocated numbers rather than tickets) before we even enter the auditorium.

The Guardian

Unusually, we are allocated her return journey whereby on seeing us she shouts: "Hello again, what do you think of my new teeth?" and flashes a great beaming smile.

The Guardian

As the space we're allocated on planes narrows, squeezing us up against our neighbours, we retain a notional privacy thanks to the monitor fitted to the seat in front: the body remains in prison, but our eyes can flicker through a hundred interchangeable in-flight channels.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were allocated", ensure clarity about who 'we' refers to and what was allocated. Providing context will help avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "we were allocated" when the allocation was not formal or official. Use less formal alternatives like "we got" or "we found" in casual contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were allocated" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject ('we') received something as a result of an action. As Ludwig AI says, it describes the act of being assigned or given something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were allocated" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that a group received something. According to Ludwig AI, it is useful for saying that a group of people were assigned or given something, such as a responsibility or task. It's most frequently encountered in news and media, scientific, and academic contexts, suggesting a formal or neutral register. When using the phrase, it's important to provide context about who 'we' refers to and what exactly was allocated. In less formal settings, simpler alternatives like "we were given" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were assigned

Direct synonym, replacing 'allocated' with 'assigned'.

we were allotted

Similar to allocated, but may imply a more measured or limited distribution.

we were given

Replaces 'allocated' with a more general term, focusing on the act of receiving.

we were provided with

Emphasizes the act of being furnished or supplied with something.

we received

Focuses on the act of obtaining or accepting what was allocated.

we were granted

Implies a more formal or official assignment.

we were designated

Suggests a specific purpose or role was assigned.

we were apportioned

Indicates that something was divided and distributed among us.

resources were allocated to us

Shifts focus to the resources, making 'us' the indirect object.

it was allocated to us

Shifts the focus to 'it', emphasizing what was assigned rather than the recipients.

FAQs

How can I use "we were allocated" in a sentence?

Use "we were allocated" to indicate that your group received something, like resources or tasks. For example, "We were allocated additional funding for the project."

What's a more formal alternative to "we were allocated"?

For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "we were granted" or "we were designated", which imply a more official assignment.

What can I say instead of "we were allocated" in a less formal setting?

In less formal situations, you could use phrases like "we were given" or "we received", which are more conversational.

Is "we were allocated" the same as "it was allocated to us"?

While they convey a similar meaning, "we were allocated" focuses on the recipients, whereas "it was allocated to us" emphasizes the thing that was assigned.