we were dominated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were dominated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where a group or individual feels overwhelmed or controlled by another force, person, or situation. Example: "In the final minutes of the game, we were dominated by our opponents, leading to a disappointing loss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"We were dominated in overtime," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"We were dominated by Barcelona and never controlled the ball well enough.

The Guardian - Sport

"Even when we were dominated in the second half by Chelsea, every time we crossed halfway it looked like something can happen there.

The Guardian - Sport

"Who said we were dominated?" he said after the Devils practiced in suburban El Segundo, suggesting that the very idea seemed preposterous.

The New York Times - Sports

"If I said we were dominated from start to finish I'd be worried, but I think there were periods of the game where we had them under pressure.

BBC

"We were dominated physically in the first half, we came back into it in the last 10 minutes, their keeper made a few saves and our combinations were better.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

We were dominating, but that's football.

Independent

"Even before Portugal went down to 10 men we were dominating the game," Joachim Löw said.

The Guardian - Sport

"They scored precisely when we were dominating; that broke our back," said Heidel.

The Guardian - Sport

"That was the key moment – we were dominating but the game's on a knife-edge," Howe said.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's a pity," the Italian said after the match, "because we were dominating this game and then we suffer.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were dominated", ensure the context clearly identifies who or what exerted control. Provide specific details to enhance the impact and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "we were dominated" without a clear indication of who or what caused the domination. For example, instead of saying "we were dominated", specify "we were dominated by their superior strategy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were dominated" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject experienced the action of being controlled or overpowered. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Sports

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were dominated" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to convey a sense of being overpowered or controlled. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. While not extremely frequent, it appears in various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and scientific reporting. It is suitable for neutral registers and can be replaced by alternatives like "we were overpowered" or "we were controlled". When using this phrase, ensure the subject exerting control is clear to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were overpowered

Emphasizes a lack of power to resist.

we were overwhelmed

Highlights the feeling of being submerged or defeated by something.

we were controlled

Focuses on the aspect of external control.

we were at the mercy of

Indicates a situation where one is vulnerable and dependent on another's actions.

we were subjected to

Suggests an experience of being forced to endure something.

we succumbed to

Implies a yielding to a stronger force or influence.

we were defeated

Focuses on the outcome of losing a contest or struggle.

we were surpassed

Highlights being outperformed or exceeded in ability.

we were outmatched

Suggests an imbalance of skill or resources leading to defeat.

we were surpassed by far

Emphasizes the extent to which another entity outperformed or exceeded in ability, adding emphasis on the margin of the victory.

FAQs

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

Use "we were dominated" to describe a situation where a group or entity was overpowered or controlled by another. For instance, "In the second half, we were dominated by their offensive plays".

What are some alternatives to "we were dominated"?

You can use alternatives like "we were overpowered", "we were overwhelmed", or "we were controlled" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "we were dominated by"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The preposition "by" indicates the agent or cause of the domination. For example, "We were dominated by their superior skill".

What's the difference between "we were dominated" and "we were dominating"?

"We were dominated" indicates that the subject (we) was controlled or overpowered by someone else. "We were dominating" means the subject (we) was exerting control or overpowering someone else.