we were assured

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'we were assured' is correct and usable in written English.
It usually has the meaning of "We were told/promised/guaranteed something." For example: We were assured that the project would be finished before the end of the month.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

At the Bar conference in 2010 we were assured that it was entirely unsurprising that the judges support the quality assurance scheme.

The Guardian

We were assured it was safe.

The Guardian - Opinion

Definitely fried this time, we were assured.

The Guardian - Travel

We were assured it would have happened in Birmingham, too.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We were assured (many times) of definite success.

The Guardian

The parrot was, we were assured, no more.

The Guardian

We were assured the mainstreaming of women's issues across government.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The research in my field affirms this", we were assured.

The Guardian

But today, we were assured, things had changed.

The New York Times - Travel

"We were assured: 'We need somebody to come in first.

The New York Times - Health

And we were assured that our supersized financial sector was the key to prosperity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were assured" to convey a sense of reliance on information received from a specific source, indicating that you were given a guarantee or promise. For example, "We were assured by the developers that the new software would be compatible with all existing systems."

Common error

Avoid using "we were assured" when the source of the assurance is vague or unknown. Ensure you can identify who provided the assurance to maintain credibility. Don't say "We were assured it would be fine" without clarifying who gave the assurance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were assured" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject (we) received a guarantee or promise. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in conveying reliance on information from a specific source. It's a declarative statement, communicating a state of being informed with a sense of confidence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were assured" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to convey that a guarantee or promise was received. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. Predominantly found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts, it implies reliance on a specific source of information. When using this phrase, ensure you are clear about the source of the assurance to maintain credibility. Alternative phrases include "we were guaranteed" or "we were promised", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were guaranteed

Emphasizes the certainty and formal promise associated with the assurance.

we were promised

Highlights the element of a promise being made.

we received assurances

Focuses on the act of receiving guarantees, rather than the state of being assured.

we were given an undertaking

Emphasizes a formal agreement or commitment.

we were told

A more general expression indicating information received, not necessarily implying a guarantee.

we had it on good authority

Indicates the reliability of the source providing the assurance.

it was conveyed to us

Focuses on the act of communication of the assurance.

we were given to understand

Suggests an implicit, rather than explicit, assurance.

we were led to believe

Suggests a degree of potential deception or misinformation, or that we were not directly assured.

we were persuaded

Emphasizes convincing someone of something, rather than guaranteeing it.

FAQs

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

Use "we were assured" to indicate that you received a guarantee or promise from someone. For instance, "We were assured that the project would be completed on time." The phrase implies reliance on the information provided.

What are some alternatives to "we were assured"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "we were guaranteed", "we were promised", or "we were told". The best choice depends on the degree of certainty you want to convey.

Is it better to use "we were assured" or "we were told"?

"We were assured" suggests a greater degree of confidence and certainty than "we were told". If you received a specific guarantee, "we were assured" is more appropriate. If you simply received information without a guarantee, "we were told" is better.

What does "we received assurances" mean?

"We received assurances" means that someone has provided a guarantee, promise, or statement of confidence regarding a particular matter. It emphasizes the act of receiving the guarantee, rather than the feeling of being assured.