we were counselled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were counselled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to receiving advice or guidance from someone, typically in a formal or professional context. Example: "After much deliberation, we were counselled to proceed with caution in our investment strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Yet as young women, we were counseled by doctors, lawyers and clergymen -- professionals who were unquestionably convinced that the law guaranteed us the choice of privacy.

The New York Times

We were counseled by his attending doctor to let everyone know that, before his admission, he was not "a sick, old man" but rather a viable human being who enjoyed life.

The New York Times

We were counsel with Lambda in the case striking down Colorado's antigay amendment.

The New York Times

We were counsel to Sandra Murphy on her appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court from her conviction in 2000 for having murdered Ted Binion.

The New York Times

At the initial appointment patients were counselled about common AEs.

Clinical and Translational Medicine

Children ≥5 years were counselled directly.

Conflict and Health

From Jesus to John Lennon, we have long been counselled about the dangers of owning lots of things.

The Guardian - Opinion

All women were counseled following their test.

Plosone

Most respondents were counseled individually, but 69% of the married/cohabiting were counseled as couples.

BMC Public Health

"We have been counseled by our legal staff that we could be liable in some way," Kelly said, "so we'll wait until things are cleared up before we have the doctors and trainers speak publicly".

The New York Times - Sports

"We have been counselling them and are trying to encourage them to play their game for a cause.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were counselled", ensure that the context clearly indicates who provided the counselling and the nature of the advice given. This adds clarity and specificity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "we were counselled" without specifying who provided the counsel. Ambiguity can arise if the source of the advice is unclear, weakening the impact of the statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were counselled" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject (we) received advice or guidance from an unspecified actor. The examples available through Ludwig AI show its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were counselled" is a grammatically sound and somewhat formal way to express that advice or guidance was received. According to Ludwig AI, it is typically used in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When employing this phrase, be mindful of clearly indicating the source of the advice to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "we were advised" exist, "we were counselled" carries a slightly more formal tone. By following these guidelines, you can use this phrase effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we received guidance

Replaces "counselled" with a more general term, focusing on the act of receiving guidance.

we were advised

Uses a more common synonym for "counselled", indicating the receipt of advice.

we were given advice

Emphasizes that advice was given to the subject.

we obtained advice

Focuses on the act of obtaining advice, rather than the act of being counselled.

guidance was provided to us

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the provision of guidance.

we sought counsel

Indicates that the subject actively looked for advice.

we had a consultation

Implies a formal meeting where advice was given.

we were briefed

Suggests that the advice was related to a specific situation or task.

we were enlightened

Suggests that we have had our eyes opened and wisdom was dispensed.

we learned

Focuses on the learning aspect of getting advice.

FAQs

What does "we were counselled" mean?

The phrase "we were counselled" means that someone provided advice or guidance to us. It implies that we received counsel on a particular matter.

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

You can use alternatives like "we were advised", "we received guidance", or "we sought counsel" depending on the context.

Is "we were counselled" formal or informal?

The phrase "we were counselled" tends to be more formal. In less formal contexts, phrases like "we got advice" or "we were told" might be more appropriate.

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

You can use "we were counselled" to indicate that advice or guidance was given to a group. For example, "After much deliberation, we were counselled to proceed with caution".