we were already

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence 'we were already' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that happened in the past and that was true before a particular moment. For example: "We were already a few minutes late when we saw that the bus had just left."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"We were already winning.

The New York Times - Sports

But we were already going.

The Guardian - Books

But, through television, we were already there.

The Guardian

"We were already hungry," she said.

The Guardian

We were already playing at roles.

The New York Times

We were already in a story.

The Guardian - Books

"But we were already doing all of that.

The New York Times

That we were already entering a food crisis, for example.

The Guardian

"We were already here," Fredrix Joe Washington said recently.

The Guardian

We were already in a very severe confidence crisis.

The New York Times

We were already talking about that type of stuff.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the subsequent part of the sentence provides the context or event that the "already" refers to, making the timeline clear for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "we were already" when simply stating a fact without needing to emphasize the 'already' aspect. Overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive or unnatural. Choose a simpler phrasing like "we were" when the emphasis isn't necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were already" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies the verb, indicating the timing or state of an action. As Ludwig AI confirmed, it is perfectly acceptable and widely used in written English to denote something was in effect or true before a specific moment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were already" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that a state or action was in effect before a specific point in time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. This phrase is common across various contexts, especially in News & Media. To enhance your writing, remember to use it to provide clear context and emphasize the prior state or action. Be mindful of potential overuse to maintain a natural tone. By considering these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "we were already" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we had already been

Replaces "were" with "had been" to emphasize the completed action before a specific time.

we were previously

Substitutes "already" with "previously" for a more formal tone and focus on sequence.

we had been

A more concise version emphasizing a state existing before another event, omitting "already" for brevity.

we were at that point

Replaces "already" with "at that point" to highlight a specific moment in time.

we found ourselves

Shifts focus to the resulting state, implying the prior action.

we were by then

Emphasizes the temporal aspect, indicating a condition reached by a certain time.

we had gotten

Highlights the process of reaching a certain state before another event occurred.

we were currently

Focuses on the state existing at a particular time, implying a prior development.

we were so far

Highlights progress up to that point, suggesting the prior actions contributed to the current state.

we were now

Emphasizes the present state as a result of past actions.

FAQs

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

Use "we were already" to show that something was happening or true before a specific time or event. For example, "We were already late when the bus arrived" indicates the lateness preceded the bus's arrival.

What are some alternatives to using "we were already"?

Alternatives include phrases like "we had already been", "we were previously", or "we had been", depending on the context and desired emphasis.

Is there a difference between "we were already" and "we were just"?

"We were already" indicates something was in progress or completed, whereas "we were just" suggests something had only recently begun or happened a short time ago. They convey opposite temporal meanings.

Can "we were already" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, "we were already" is suitable for both formal and informal settings. Its appropriateness depends more on the overall tone and style of the writing rather than the specific phrase itself.