we were ever

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were ever" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or incorrect in most contexts.
It could be used in a poetic or literary context, but it is generally not appropriate for everyday communication. Example: "If we were ever to meet again, I would cherish the moment."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

"I didn't think we were ever going to catch one".

The New York Times - Sports

I don't think we were ever really comfortable out there.

The New York Times - Sports

None of us thought we were ever going to win.

The Guardian

"Strangely, we're bigger now than we were ever before.

The New York Times - Arts

We each felt like we looked the best we were ever going to look.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"If we were ever talking about a reference, it was to Hitchcock.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

"We're ever mindful of it".

The New York Times - Sports

We are ever more dependent on digital connectivity.

The New Yorker

"I felt, there is no way we are ever going to be able to live here".

The New York Times

But I believe if we are ever to be useful, now is the time.

The New York Times

If we are ever to have better understanding, we must start with the young people.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "we were ever" with more common and grammatically sound alternatives like "if we ever were", "we had ever been", or restructuring the sentence for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "we were ever" in formal writing. This phrase is often perceived as clunky or grammatically incorrect. Opt for clearer and more direct expressions to enhance readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were ever" functions as part of a clause, typically within a larger sentence expressing a past condition or state. It often appears in negative constructions or hypothetical scenarios. Ludwig AI points out that this phrase can sound awkward. For example, "I didn't think "we were ever" going to catch one".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were ever" is identified by Ludwig AI as a potentially awkward construction. While grammatically not strictly incorrect, its infrequent usage and tendency to sound clunky suggest caution. As evidenced by the limited examples from news and media sources, alternative phrasings such as "if we ever were" or re-structuring the sentence are often preferable. Its purpose is generally to express doubt or conditionality about past situations. Because of this awkwardness, the phrase has a middling expert rating. While its usage is rare, understanding its function helps in recognizing opportunities for clearer communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we had ever been

Emphasizes a past state or condition that was previously experienced.

we have ever been

Focuses on a state of being that has occurred at any point in the past up to the present.

we might ever be

Introduces a sense of possibility or speculation about a future state.

we could ever be

Suggests a potential or hypothetical state in the future.

we would ever be

Expresses a conditional or hypothetical future state.

we are now

Focuses on the current state, contrasting it with a previous condition.

we used to be

Indicates a past state that is no longer the case.

we once were

Highlights a past state that existed at a specific point in time.

we have been

Simply indicates a past experience or state of being.

we became

Focuses on the act of transforming into a certain state.

FAQs

How can I use a more natural-sounding alternative to "we were ever"?

Consider using alternatives like "if we ever were", which adds a conditional tone, or rephrasing the sentence entirely for better clarity.

What's wrong with saying "we were ever"?

The phrase "we were ever" sounds awkward and is not commonly used in standard English. There are often clearer and more direct ways to express the same idea.

Is "if we were ever" a better way to phrase a similar idea?

Yes, "if "if we were ever"" adds a conditional aspect and generally sounds more natural in most contexts.

Can you provide an example of rephrasing a sentence with "we were ever" to make it sound better?

Instead of "We didn't think we were ever going to raise venture capital", try "We didn't think "we would ever" raise venture capital" or "We never thought we would raise venture capital".