we were amused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were amused" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express that you found something entertaining or funny in a past situation. Example: "During the comedy show, we were amused by the performer’s jokes." Alternative expressions include "we found it funny" and "we were entertained."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay.

The Guardian - Books

(We were amused at the single beds, a reminder that we were, in fact, in Catholic Spain).

The New York Times - Travel

I remember last deadline day we were amused to read that Kevin was seen at Arsenal going for a medical.

Independent

Stalking through 45th Street, our fowling piece under our arm, we were amused at what was going on at Abercrombies.

The New Yorker

She was back inside ten minutes,… Stalking through 45th Street, our fowling piece under our arm, we were amused at what was going on at Abercrombies.

The New Yorker

In my distant schooldays we were amused by a joke about itinerant lingerie salesmen said to be 'travelling in ladies' underwear'.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

If she nurtured a playful and sometimes wicked eye for the manners of high society (she once said that "unlike Queen Victoria, we are amused — we are always amused"), she made a point of showing her appreciation for people who worked to help the needy.

The New York Times

"We're amused by this rather than frustrated.

The Guardian - Tech

Simply contracting the same muscles as when we're amused or not changes how we perceive things.

The Guardian

But we are amused, as The Fact Checker, to see that the president believes he needs to tell his audience that he is not spinning them.

The Washington Post

And even if we are amused by "Sex and the City," in which no act is taboo for discussion, isn't it a textbook case of overshare extraordinaire?

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were amused" to convey a sense of shared lighthearted enjoyment or mild surprise at something observed or experienced.

Common error

Avoid using "we were amused" excessively in highly formal or academic writing; consider more precise language to convey the specific emotion or reaction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were amused" functions as a statement of shared past experience, specifically describing a feeling of amusement experienced by a group. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in narrating reactions to events, behaviors, or observations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were amused" is a grammatically correct and neutrally-toned expression used to convey a shared feeling of light enjoyment or mild surprise. Ludwig AI indicates that this expression is valid and shows multiple instances of its usage across diverse sources, particularly in news and media. While relatively infrequent, "we were amused" effectively communicates a sense of lighthearted amusement, making it a useful phrase in various writing contexts. Alternative phrases include ""we found it amusing"" and ""we were entertained"" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we found it amusing

Uses 'found' instead of 'were', keeping the core meaning of experiencing amusement.

we thought it was funny

Explicitly states the reason for the amusement, adding clarity.

we were entertained

Shifts from amusement to general entertainment, broadening the scope slightly.

it gave us a laugh

Highlights the humorous aspect and the resulting laughter.

we were tickled

Emphasizes a light, gleeful amusement, a more playful tone.

we chuckled

Replaces the feeling with an action (chuckling), focusing on the physical response to amusement.

we were delighted

Increases the intensity of the feeling, conveying greater pleasure.

we were pleased

Expresses a more subdued satisfaction, a milder form of amusement.

we smiled

Reduces the expression to a simple smile, the most basic sign of finding something agreeable.

we enjoyed it

A more straightforward expression of enjoyment, without specifying amusement.

FAQs

What does "we were amused" mean?

The phrase "we were amused" indicates that a group of people (represented by "we") experienced a feeling of lighthearted pleasure or enjoyment at something, often finding it funny or interesting.

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

You can use "we were amused" to describe a past reaction to an event, situation, or statement. For example, "We were amused by the comedian's jokes" or "We were amused at his attempts to fix the car."

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

You can use alternatives like "we found it amusing", "we were entertained", or "we thought it was funny" depending on the context.

Is "we were amused" formal or informal?

"We were amused" is generally considered neutral in formality. While suitable for many contexts, in extremely formal or academic writing, you might prefer more precise or descriptive language.