we were born that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were born that" is not complete and lacks context, making it difficult to determine its correctness in written English.
It could be used in a context discussing inherent traits or characteristics, but it needs to be part of a fuller sentence to convey a clear meaning. Example: "We were born that way, with a natural talent for music."

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"At registration for school they gave us a paper where it has all our information including where we were born that had to get stamped by every section," she said.

Huffington Post

We were born that way.

Forbes

As another figure from that era, Stewart Emery, once said, "Nobody told us when we were born that we were coming to the lunatic asylum of the galaxy".

Huffington Post

In my generation we were taught from the time we were born that when we became adults it was important for us to get a good education, work real hard, and save your money for retirement.

HuffPost

My beloved teacher of many years ago, Stewart Emery, once said, "Nobody told us when we were born that we had arrived in the lunatic asylum of the universe".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Survey results so far have found that on some issues, such as whether we are "born that way" or not, and on the causes and consequences of anti-gay bigotry, we are miles apart, but on others we agree.

The Guardian - Opinion

Those who believe sexual orientation is a choice are far more likely to oppose our equality, while folks who think we are "born that way" are more likely to support us.

Huffington Post

We are told constantly we are born that way".

Independent

I believe that we can be against homophobic aversion therapy and still argue against a gay gene, but my views on whether we are born that way could well change during the course of my research.

The Guardian - Opinion

As mounting evidence suggests, we're born that way.

Huffington Post

Some even go as far as to say that we are born that way.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context clearly indicates what "that" refers to; avoid ambiguity by specifying the trait or condition being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "we were born that" without a clear antecedent for "that". This can lead to confusion and misinterpretation. Always ensure the trait or condition you're referring to is explicitly stated or easily inferred from the surrounding text.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were born that" serves as a predicate in a sentence, indicating a state or condition from birth. Its grammatical correctness relies heavily on the context providing a clear referent for "that". As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase benefits from being part of a fuller sentence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were born that" expresses an inherent condition or characteristic from birth. Ludwig AI notes the phrase's dependence on context, emphasizing the need for a clear referent for "that". While grammatically acceptable, its effectiveness hinges on unambiguous usage. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, the phrase appears across diverse sources, including news, media, and academic articles, suggesting its established, if not entirely standardized, use in contemporary English. Remember to make sure that it is always clear to the audience what "that" means to prevent confusion and misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were born this way

Changes 'that' to 'this way', implying a specific, predetermined manner or condition.

we were created that way

Replaces 'born' with 'created', suggesting a designed or fashioned existence.

we are inherently

Focuses on inherent characteristics without directly referencing birth.

we were endowed with

Stresses the inherent possession of certain qualities from birth.

we are predisposed to

Highlights a tendency or susceptibility from the beginning.

we are naturally inclined

Emphasizes a natural tendency or predisposition.

it's in our nature

Shifts the focus to an intrinsic aspect of our being.

we were destined to be

Highlights the element of destiny or predetermination.

we always had it in us

Implies an innate potential or characteristic present from birth.

we arrived with

Focuses on the moment of arrival (birth) carrying certain traits.

FAQs

How can I use "we were born that" in a sentence?

The phrase "we were born that" requires a clear context to specify what "that" refers to. For example, you could say, "We were told "we were born stupid" - that God had created us like that."

What are some alternatives to "we were born that"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "we were born this way", "we are inherently", or "we were created that way".

Is it grammatically correct to say "we were born that"?

While not strictly incorrect, "we were born that" is often considered incomplete without further context clarifying the meaning of "that". Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase needs to be part of a fuller sentence to convey a clear meaning.

What does "we were born that" imply about inherent traits?

The phrase often suggests that certain qualities or characteristics are innate or present from birth. However, it's crucial to provide context to specify which trait or characteristic is being discussed to avoid ambiguity. It's similar to stating "it's in our nature".