we were deluded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were deluded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where someone was misled or had a false belief about something. Example: "In hindsight, we were deluded to think that everything would work out perfectly without any effort."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I'll be frank and say that we were deluded when we signed the contract," Maliki told the British broadcaster in his first interview with an international news organization since the insurgents seized Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city,  this month.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

That we were deluding ourselves a bit.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

My view is that we're deluded if we think new technologies come into existence because of clearly defined human objectives – let alone benevolent ones – and it's this that should shape our response to them.

The Guardian - Books

"We are deluded by the attention paid to the large contributors in our country," said Wendy Smith, author of "Give A Little: How Your Small Donations Can Transform the World".

The New York Times

According to the second, the source of the unacceptability of the conclusion is the fact that we are deluded by our intuition (Sikora 1978, 2004; Mackie 1985; Tännsjö 1992 , 1998 2002; Hare 1993; Ryberg 1996a, 2004).

SEP

Validation from outside is an invaluable check on whether we are deluded or spot on.

Huffington Post

In Heaven and Hell, Aldous Huxley writes "Nature at the middle distance is familiar— so familiar that we are deluded into believing that we really know what it is all about.

Huffington Post

But we're deluding ourselves if we believe the solution is largely academic.

The New York Times

But we're deluding ourselves when we think of television as passive entertainment.

The New York Times

But if we think that's all it is we are deluding ourselves.

The Guardian - Opinion

We're deluding ourselves if we believe the young will simply continue to be stoical and deferential to authority.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were deluded" to express a past state of holding false beliefs, particularly when those beliefs led to misguided actions or decisions. It's suitable for reflecting on past errors in judgment.

Common error

While "deluded" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can sound overly critical or judgmental. Consider more neutral alternatives like "mistaken" or "misled" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were deluded" functions as a statement of past belief or understanding. It expresses a realization that a previous assumption, judgment, or conviction held by a group was incorrect or based on false information. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were deluded" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey a past state of holding false beliefs. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, expressing regret or acknowledgment of a previous error in judgment. While acceptable in both formal and informal settings, consider using more neutral alternatives like "mistaken" or "misled" in highly formal writing to avoid sounding overly critical. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were mistaken

Replaces "deluded" with a more neutral term suggesting an error in judgment rather than a state of being misled.

we were deceived

Implies intentional misleading by an external party, adding a layer of culpability that "deluded" might not always convey.

we were misled

Similar to "deceived" but can also imply unintentional guidance in the wrong direction.

we were fooled

A more informal way to say we were tricked or deceived, often implying a lack of sophistication on the part of those fooled.

we were under the illusion

Highlights the false perception rather than the act of being misled. It emphasizes the state of believing something untrue.

we were operating under false pretenses

Focuses on the fact that actions were based on incorrect assumptions or information.

we labored under a delusion

A more formal and emphatic way of expressing the original meaning, emphasizing the prolonged and persistent nature of the false belief.

we were victims of a misconception

Highlights that the error stemmed from a widely held but incorrect belief.

we were in a fool's paradise

Suggests a state of blissful ignorance that was ultimately unsustainable or untrue.

we had unrealistic expectations

Replaces "deluded" with a phrase focusing on inflated or unfounded hopes.

FAQs

What does "we were deluded" mean?

The phrase "we were deluded" means that we were under a false impression, deceived, or held a mistaken belief about something in the past.

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

You can use it to reflect on past misjudgments, for example: "Looking back, "we were deluded" to think the project would succeed without proper funding."

What are some alternatives to "we were deluded"?

Alternatives include "we were mistaken", "we were misled", or "we were deceived", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "we were deluded" formal or informal?

It is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but in very formal writing, consider using alternatives like "we were mistaken" or "we were under the misapprehension" for a more professional tone.