we were divorced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were divorced" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a couple has legally ended their marriage in the past. Example: "After years of disagreements, we were divorced, and it was a relief for both of us."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

we always felt that we were divorced from what ends up on the shelf.

The New Yorker

"Our misfortune was that we were divorced in 1918," said Karl Lavencic, a Slovenian journalist working in Britain.

The New York Times

"It was raining, and I was sitting there in front of the house, watching her come home from a date after we were divorced.

The New York Times - Arts

SCHECHNER Her intensity reminded me of the work Joan and I did with the Performance Group in the 1960's and 70's, before we were divorced.

The New York Times

We were not expected to do anything, we not expected to make money, and we were not protected against what would happen if we were divorced or someone died.

The New Yorker

They came to our house, but we were divorced, and we didn't work for any danwei.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

We are divorced.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Although we are divorced in our view".

The Guardian - Music

"I don't even know if we are divorced yet," she said.

The New York Times

On the other side, Amy's mom, Janice - we're divorced - she's got professional musicians in her family.

The New York Times

We are divorced now".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the emotional impact the phrase "we were divorced" can have on readers, especially if they have gone through a divorce themselves. Choose your words carefully and be sensitive to their feelings.

Common error

Avoid using "divorced" and "separated" as synonyms. "Separated" indicates that a couple is living apart, but they are still legally married. "Divorced" means the marriage has been legally terminated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were divorced" functions as a statement indicating that a marriage has legally ended in the past. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, the phrase clearly communicates a past marital status.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were divorced" is used to express that a marriage has ended legally in the past. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase as correct and suitable for various writing contexts, especially within news and media. While "we were divorced" is a factual statement, consider your audience and purpose when writing about divorce to ensure sensitivity. Related phrases like "our marriage ended" or "we separated and divorced" can provide alternative ways to express the same idea. Be mindful of confusing "divorced" with "separated", as they have distinct legal meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

our marriage ended

Focuses on the termination of the marriage rather than the legal status.

we finalized our divorce

Highlights the completion of the legal divorce process.

our divorce was complete

Similar to 'finalized our divorce' but with a slightly different structure.

we obtained a divorce

Focuses on the act of receiving the legal decree of divorce.

we separated and divorced

Emphasizes both the separation and the subsequent divorce process.

we dissolved our marriage

Uses a more formal term for ending the marriage.

the divorce was granted

Shifts the focus to the court's action in granting the divorce.

we split up and divorced

Combines the informal term 'split up' with the formal 'divorced'.

we went our separate ways

Describes the end of the relationship without explicitly mentioning divorce.

we legally separated

Highlights the legal aspect of the separation.

FAQs

What is the difference between "we were divorced" and "we got divorced"?

Both "we were divorced" and "we got divorced" are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning: that a marriage has ended. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or the desired tone. "We were divorced" may sound slightly more formal.

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

You can use alternatives like "our marriage ended", "we separated and divorced", or "we dissolved our marriage" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to say "we are divorced" or "we were divorced"?

Saying "we are divorced" indicates the current state, meaning the divorce is final and you are not currently married. "We were divorced" refers to a past state, implying the divorce happened in the past, but it doesn't necessarily comment on your current marital status. Use "we are divorced" for current status and "we were divorced" for a past event.

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

You can use "we were divorced" in a sentence to explain the end of a marriage, for example, "After five years of marriage, "we were divorced", but we remained friends" or "We were divorced in 2010 and have both moved on with our lives".