we were closed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were closed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to state that a place or organization stopped its activities for a certain period of time. Example: The library was closed for two weeks for mainentence.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

But, every time we tried that, we were closed down.

The New Yorker

We lost so much business the time we were closed, at least 20 to 30percentt".

The New York Times

Last Saturday we did 140 covers for dinner; this Saturday we were closed".

The New York Times

"We were closed for a week after 9/11 and things never got much better.

The New York Times

During the latest cancellation, Dr. Gallacher said, "only three or four kids showed up not knowing we were closed".

The New York Times

It was then that the bell sounded in the clinic, though we were closed, except for emergencies, during the afternoon.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

We are closed for tonight.

The New York Times

"We're closed," he said.

The New York Times - Travel

"We're closed until noon".

The New Yorker

Cheers "I'm sorry, we're closed".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"We're closing," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were closed" to clearly and directly state that a business, institution, or other entity was not open or operational at a particular time. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "we are closed" when referring to a past event. "We are closed" indicates a current state, while "we were closed" correctly refers to a past state of closure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were closed" functions as a statement indicating that an entity (e.g., a business, institution) was not open or operational at a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, and examples show it being used to explain reasons for lack of business or access.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were closed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate that an entity was not open or operational in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and various examples show its usage across diverse contexts, primarily in news and business communications. It's important to use the correct tense to accurately reflect the time frame. While suitable for both formal and informal situations, avoiding ambiguity and considering context are key to effective communication. Alternative phrases like "we were shut down" or "we were not operating" can offer different nuances, as we have seen.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were shut down

Emphasis on being forcefully stopped or prevented from operating.

we were not open

Directly states the lack of being in a state of operation.

we were out of service

Focuses on the inability to provide a service due to being closed.

we were not operating

Emphasizes the cessation of activity or function.

we had suspended operations

Highlights a temporary cessation of activities.

we ceased activity

Formal way to express the end of operation.

we were in lockdown

Implies a state of closure due to security or emergency reasons.

we were unavailable

Indicates that services or access were not accessible.

we were inaccessible

Emphasizes the physical or logistical impossibility of reaching the place.

our doors were shut

A more descriptive and slightly metaphorical way of expressing closure.

FAQs

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

You can use "we were closed" to state that a place or business was not open for operation at a certain point in the past. For example, "We were closed due to the public holiday".

What's a formal alternative to "we were closed"?

In a more formal context, you could say "we had suspended operations" or "we were not operating" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "we are closed" instead of "we were closed"?

The correctness depends on the time frame you're referring to. "We are closed" indicates a current state of closure, while "we were closed" refers to a past state. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the time frame you're discussing.

What is the difference between "we were closed" and "we were shut down"?

"We were closed" generally indicates a planned or expected temporary cessation of activity. Whereas "we were shut down" often implies a more sudden or forceful closure, often due to external factors or authority.