we were attacked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were attacked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a group or individual has experienced an assault or aggression. Example: "During the meeting, we were attacked by opposing members who disagreed with our proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Because we were attacked.

The New Yorker

We were attacked on 9/11.

The New York Times

The return journey we were attacked again.

The Guardian

The bottom line is we were attacked.

The New York Times

We were attacked by Al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden.

The New York Times

We were attacked in downtown Manhattan, where Wall Street is.

The New Yorker

Earlier this week, he told the broadcaster Hugh Hewitt: "We were attacked, we were attacked by protesters, where bricks were thrown at us".

The Guardian

He said, 'We were attacked by the Afghans,' " Ms. Young said.

The New York Times

"We were held hostage, we were attacked, and now there's been theft.

The Guardian

"We were attacked by an unseen, treacherous, criminal enterprise," said a senior Defense Department official.

The New York Times

But we were attacked for it, accused of being fascist bastards and so on".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were attacked", ensure the context clearly identifies who "we" refers to and who or what initiated the attack. This avoids ambiguity and provides clarity to the reader.

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "we were attacked" without specifying the attackers or the nature of the attack. Provide sufficient detail to give the reader a clear understanding of the situation. For example, instead of saying "we were attacked", specify "we were attacked by protesters" or "we were attacked with cyber threats".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were attacked" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject ("we") received the action of being attacked. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. The examples provided demonstrate usage in describing various scenarios of assault or aggression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were attacked" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression, particularly within news and media contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions to report or describe instances where a group or entity has experienced aggression or assault. It is generally used in a neutral register, but its formality can shift based on context. When using the phrase, it's important to provide specific details about the attackers and the nature of the attack to avoid ambiguity and enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we came under attack

Emphasizes the action of being targeted.

we suffered an assault

Highlights the negative impact of the attack.

we faced aggression

Focuses on the hostile nature of the event.

we were ambushed

Suggests a surprise attack.

we were targeted

Highlights intentionality of attack.

an attack was launched against us

Formal way of indicating an attack has occurred.

we were victims of an attack

Emphasizes victimhood.

hostilities were directed at us

Formal phrasing, highlighting the direction of aggression.

we were subjected to violence

Highlights the violence inflicted upon the group.

violence was perpetrated against us

More formal, emphasizing the act of violence.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "we came under attack", "we suffered an assault", or "we faced aggression" depending on the context.

How to use "we were attacked" in a sentence?

Use "we were attacked" to describe a situation where a group experienced an assault or aggression. For example, "During the protest, we were attacked by counter-protesters" or "In the meeting, we were attacked by opposing members who disagreed with our proposal".

What's the difference between "we were attacked" and "we were threatened"?

"We were attacked" implies that a physical or direct assault occurred. "We were threatened", on the other hand, indicates a declaration of an intent to harm. For example, "we were attacked by a mob" versus "we were threatened with legal action".

Which is correct, "we were attacked" or "we was attacked"?

"We were attacked" is correct. "We was attacked" is grammatically incorrect; the correct conjugation of the verb "to be" with the plural pronoun "we" is "were".