we were discriminated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were discriminated" is not correct in English.
It should be "we were discriminated against." You can use it when discussing experiences of unfair treatment based on characteristics such as race, gender, or age. Example: "During the hiring process, we were discriminated against because of our ethnicity."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"We were discriminated against," Pence's mother added.

The New Yorker

"We were discriminated against in my own hometown," Kwong said in a recent Skype video interview.

The New York Times - Sports

On the couple of occasions that the programme did allow a stray hour for shopping, the beggars we encountered certainly did not feel we were discriminated against.

The Guardian - Opinion

We were discriminated against".

Forbes

As a matter of fact, it is important to point out that it was quite difficult for women to find adequate positions in those days, because we were discriminated against.

Science Magazine

"I felt we were discriminated against," Ojo told The York Daily Record.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"I know it may sound like that, but if we weren't helping they'd say we were discriminating".

The New Yorker

"We had an air base out here, and we had the blacks that came, and there was none of them that felt like we were discriminating against them".

Huffington Post

My wife is a non-EU citizen from Thailand and we are discriminated against.

The Guardian

We are discriminated against every single day and made to feel like we're different.

Independent

British women suffer from facial prejudice – we are discriminated against for our looks in a way that men aren't.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct form "we were discriminated against" to ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity. Including "against" is essential for the phrase to be grammatically sound and convey the intended meaning.

Common error

A frequent error is omitting "against" after "discriminated". This omission leads to grammatical incorrectness. Remember to always include "against" to maintain the correct meaning and structure. Using the correct form, "we were discriminated against", clearly conveys the experience of facing prejudice or bias.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were discriminated" functions as a passive construction where the subject "we" receives the action. It indicates that the group was the recipient of discriminatory actions. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically incorrect without the addition of "against".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were discriminated" is grammatically incorrect and requires the addition of "against" to be accurate. According to Ludwig AI, the proper form is "we were discriminated against". This phrase is used to express the experience of facing unfair treatment due to certain characteristics. While the sources providing examples are generally authoritative, the grammatical error affects the phrase's overall quality and expert rating. Semantically related alternatives like "we faced discrimination" or "we experienced discrimination" offer correct alternatives with slightly different nuances. Remember to always include "against" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness when describing instances of discrimination.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we faced discrimination

Focuses on the act of facing discrimination, highlighting the experience of confronting it.

we experienced discrimination

Emphasizes the personal experience of undergoing discrimination.

we were subjected to discrimination

Highlights that discrimination was imposed upon the speaker and others.

discrimination was directed at us

Shifts focus to the direction of the discriminatory actions.

we were victims of discrimination

Emphasizes the victimhood aspect of facing discrimination.

we encountered discrimination

Highlights the act of coming across discriminatory practices or attitudes.

we were unfairly treated

Focuses on the unfairness of the treatment received.

we were prejudiced against

Emphasizes the prejudice that fueled the discriminatory actions.

we were marginalized

Highlights the outcome of discrimination, emphasizing the social exclusion experienced.

we were excluded

Focuses on the act of being left out or denied opportunities due to discrimination.

FAQs

How should I correctly use "we were discriminated against" in a sentence?

Use "we were discriminated against" to describe instances where you and others faced unfair treatment due to certain characteristics. For example, "During the hiring process, "we were discriminated against" because of our age".

What's a more formal way to say "we were discriminated against"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "we faced discrimination" or "we experienced discrimination". These alternatives provide a more polished and professional tone.

Is it correct to say "we were discriminated" without the word "against"?

No, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is ""we were discriminated against"". The preposition "against" is necessary to properly convey the meaning that discriminatory actions were directed towards you.

What's the difference between "we were discriminated against" and "we faced discrimination"?

"We were discriminated against" implies that an external force or entity actively discriminated against you. "We faced discrimination" simply indicates that you encountered discriminatory practices, without necessarily specifying who or what was responsible.