we were approached

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were approached" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to say that someone or a group of people approached you. For example, "We were approached by a recruiter at the job fair who wanted to talk to us about job opportunities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

We were approached with this deal.

The New York Times - Sports

We were approached by a car.

The Guardian

We were approached by Toronto with this deal.

The New York Times - Sports

We were approached to bid for a licence.

The Guardian - Sport

"We were approached by a lot of major distilleries," Isler says.

Columbia University

NT: We were approached by Southwark Local Authority (LA) in 2005.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

We were approaching Tuxecan.

The New Yorker

"Now we were approaching 30.

The New York Times

We were approaching the final boat ride.

The New York Times - Travel

"We were approaching a record in tourism.

The New York Times

"We felt we were approaching it the right way.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were approached", clearly state who approached you and the context of the approach to provide clarity to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "we were approached" without specifying who did the approaching. Unclear attribution can weaken your statement and confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

We were approached functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject (we) received an action (being approached) from an unspecified actor. It's used to describe how an interaction or offer began, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Lifestyle

9%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were approached" is a versatile and commonly used passive voice construction. Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It effectively communicates that an initial contact or proposal was received, placing emphasis on the subject as the recipient. While suitable for both formal and informal contexts, it's crucial to specify the actor for clarity. Ludwig's examples showcase its prevalence across diverse domains, particularly in news and media, highlighting its broad applicability. Alternatives such as "we were contacted" or "someone reached out to us" can provide nuanced variations depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were contacted

Emphasizes the act of communication without specifying the nature of the contact.

someone reached out to us

Highlights the initiative taken by another party to establish communication.

we received an offer

Focuses on the outcome of the approach – an offer was made.

we were asked

Indicates that a request was made of the subject.

we were invited

Suggests a formal or informal invitation to participate in something.

we got a proposition

Suggests a formal suggestion or invitation to enter a negotiation or discussion.

a proposal was presented to us

Highlights the formal presentation of an idea or plan.

we entertained an offer

The focus is on the act of listening or reflecting upon the offer, not necessarily agreeing to it.

we had an inquiry

Focuses on the arrival of a question or request for information.

we fielded an inquiry

Implies managing or responding to an incoming request.

FAQs

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

Use "we were approached" to indicate that someone initiated contact with you or your organization, as in "We were approached by a potential investor last week".

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

You can use alternatives like "we were contacted", "someone reached out to us", or "we received an offer" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing how the interaction started?

Using the active voice, such as "They approached us", is more direct. However, "we were approached" is useful when you want to emphasize that you were the recipient of the action or when the actor is unknown or less important.

Is "we were approached" formal or informal?

The phrase "we were approached" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile choice for different types of communication.