we were away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were away" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to talk about a period of being absent or being away from a location. Example sentence: We were away for a few weeks last month and it was a much-needed break from the daily grind.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

We were away.

The New York Times - Sports

We were away four months".

The New York Times - Sports

"We were away from here & missed it.

The New Yorker

While we were away, we let the property.

The Guardian - Money

We couldn't make it because we were away.

The New York Times

We were away against Newcastle two days after playing Bolton.

The Guardian - Sport

Wright went for it, and we were away.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Then we are away".

The Guardian - Music

At first light we are away.

The Guardian - Books

"If we get that, we're away," says Simcox.

The Guardian

And we're away again No changes from either side.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were away" to clearly indicate a period of absence from a specific location or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "we were away" when the context requires a different tense, such as "we are away" for present absence or "we will be away" for future absence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were away" functions as a clause element, typically serving as the predicate of a sentence. It indicates a state of being absent from a particular place or situation. Ludwig shows numerous examples in which the phrase provides context regarding events that occurred during this absence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were away" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a period of absence. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and versatile for indicating that a group was not present at a particular location or during a specific time. It's commonly found in news articles and formal documents. While direct alternatives exist, like "we were absent" or "we were gone", the best choice hinges on the context. When using the phrase, make sure that the tense aligns with the timeframe you're referencing to avoid potential confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were absent

Focuses on the state of being not present.

we were gone

Emphasizes the fact of having left a place.

we were out of town

Specifically indicates absence from one's town or city.

we were not here

Simply states the lack of presence.

we were traveling

Highlights the act of being on a journey.

we were on vacation

Specifies that the absence was for leisure or holiday.

we were abroad

Indicates being in a foreign country.

we were elsewhere

Suggests being in another unspecified location.

we had left

Focuses on the action of departing before something happened.

we were off-site

Implies absence from a specific location, often work-related.

FAQs

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

You can use "we were away" to indicate a period of absence, as in "We were away on vacation last week, so we missed the neighborhood party."

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

You can use alternatives like "we were absent", "we were gone", or "we were out of town" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "we was away"?

No, "we was away" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "we were away", using the plural form of the verb "to be".

What's the difference between "we were away" and "we are away"?

"We were away" indicates a past absence, while "we are away" indicates a current absence. For example, "We were away last summer" vs. "We are away on business this week".