we were employed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were employed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a past state of being employed or working for an organization or company. Example: "During the summer of 2020, we were employed at the local community center, helping to organize events and activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I took the job, and immediately noticed how the way we were employed affected the workplace.

The Guardian - Opinion

12.57pm BST Guardian witness plug Window paintings for the Tour de France On a number of occasions we were employed to paint the shop windows of towns that would be welcoming the Tour de France.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

If we were employing somebody to work in the gardens, we would be looking for theoretical knowledge, as well as practical experience.

The Guardian

We're employed by the British people and that's what we're going to do".

The Guardian

"No, we're employed by the government to do a traffic study," he insisted, as cars whisked gaily by.

The Guardian

The African Americans and The Latinos want you to know that we're educated and we're employed.

Huffington Post

That is what we are employed for, to work here and not to be absent.

EU Parlament

"The dollars we are investing, the people we're employing, are focused on the highest priorities".

The New York Times - Travel

At last year's venue we had a staff of 30; this year we're employing 200.

The Guardian

At any given point in time we are employing about 16,000 subcontractors".

The Guardian - Business

"We are employing the available tools to contribute to improving the economy and overcoming deflation".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were employed", ensure the context clearly indicates the timeframe and the employer, if relevant. For instance, specify the years or the name of the company.

Common error

Avoid using "we were employed" without specifying the period or the nature of the employment. Provide sufficient detail to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of just saying "We were employed", specify where and when: "We were employed at Acme Corp. from 2010 to 2015".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were employed" functions as a statement of past employment. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable. Examples show it describing a previous work situation or role held.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were employed" is grammatically correct and usable, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is used to describe a past state of employment. While examples are relatively rare, the phrase appears in news and media and scientific contexts. To enhance clarity, it's best to specify the timeframe and employer. Alternatives include "we were hired" or "we had jobs", but "we were employed" tends to be more formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were hired

Emphasizes the act of being recruited and taken on as employees.

we had jobs

A simpler way to express the state of being employed.

we held positions

Focuses on the fact of having occupied a specific job or role.

we were working

Highlights the action of performing work, rather than just the state of employment.

we gained employment

Stresses the process of obtaining a job.

we were on staff

Indicates being part of the personnel of an organization.

we served as employees

A more formal way to state being employed.

we were in service

Similar to being employees, but can also imply a sense of duty or commitment.

we were part of the workforce

Focuses on being a component of the labor pool.

we had careers

Suggests a longer-term professional involvement.

FAQs

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

Use "we were employed" to describe a past state of being hired or working for a company or organization. For example: "During the summer, we were employed at the local community center".

What are some alternatives to "we were employed"?

Alternatives include "we were hired", "we had jobs", or "we were working", depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "we were employed" or "we had jobs"?

"We were employed" generally sounds more formal than "we had jobs". Use "we were employed" in professional contexts, while "we had jobs" is suitable for casual conversation.

What's the difference between "we were employed" and "we are employed"?

"We were employed" refers to a past state of employment, while "we are employed" refers to the present. For example, "We were employed there last year, but now we work elsewhere".