we were curious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were curious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a sense of interest or desire to know more about something in the past. Example: "During the meeting, we were curious about the new project timeline and its potential impact on our current workload."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were curious.

The Guardian

"We were curious," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Also we were curious on how Stepper Motors worked.

Cornell University

We were curious as to the explanation for this finding.

Nature

We were curious about the effect of this overrating.

Harvard Business Review

Well, the men were good, and we were curious.

The New Yorker

We were curious, then, to see who had come.

The New York Times

"We were curious and searching for self-identity".

The New Yorker

We were curious to know the answer and designed LEMON, an indoor localization system.

Journal of Network and Computer Applications

Now, we were curious about, how do independent workers view their work lives?

Cornell University

Rather, we were curious of what the compiler generated this time.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were curious" to introduce an explanation of an action taken due to a sense of inquiry. This clearly sets up the rationale for further investigation or exploration.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences or paragraphs with "we were curious". Vary your sentence structure by rephrasing as a question or stating the object of curiosity directly to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were curious" primarily functions as an introductory phrase to express a state of inquisitiveness or interest that prompts further investigation or explanation. As Ludwig AI explains, it's a common way to preface a reason or motive.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

27%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were curious" is a frequently used and grammatically correct expression that introduces a sense of inquiry or interest. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase commonly prefaces explanations or actions resulting from curiosity. Predominantly found in news, science, and academic contexts, it serves to set the stage for further exploration or reasoning. While generally neutral in tone, writers should vary sentence structures and consider more formal alternatives for strictly professional environments. By avoiding overuse and understanding its purpose, writers can effectively employ "we were curious" to enhance clarity and engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were interested in

Replaces "curious" with "interested", indicating a general engagement with the topic.

we felt inquisitive

Replaces "curious" with "inquisitive", emphasizing a proactive desire to investigate.

we felt intrigued

Substitutes "curious" with "intrigued", suggesting a captivation that prompts further exploration.

we wanted to investigate

Shifts from a feeling of curiosity to a direct intention to explore or examine.

we were eager to learn

Conveys enthusiasm for acquiring knowledge, changing the focus from curiosity to eagerness.

we desired to know more

Expresses a wish for additional information, replacing "curious" with a direct statement of wanting to learn.

we sought to understand

Emphasizes the active pursuit of comprehension, rather than just feeling curious.

we found it interesting

Focuses on the subject being stimulating, implying curiosity as a result of interest.

we pondered the matter

Suggests a thoughtful consideration, replacing simple curiosity with deep reflection.

we were anxious to see

Highlights an eagerness to observe the outcome, subtly changing the nuance from curiosity.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "we were interested", "we were intrigued", or "we were eager to know" depending on the context.

How do I use "we were curious" in a sentence?

Begin with "we were curious", then explain the reason for your curiosity. For example: "We were curious about the new policy, so we attended the information session."

Is "we were curious" formal or informal?

"We were curious" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal writing, consider more sophisticated synonyms.

What's the difference between "we were curious" and "we were interested"?

While similar, "we were curious" implies a desire to investigate or learn something new, whereas "we were interested" suggests a general engagement with a topic. The former often leads to action.