we were examined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were examined" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a situation where a group of people underwent an examination or assessment, typically in a medical, educational, or evaluative context. Example: "After the long day of testing, we were examined by the panel of experts to assess our knowledge and skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

We were examined by a doctor.

The New York Times - Magazine

I was also given red tablets and a discount voucher, but I was not asked about birth preparedness" (FGD, woman in 8th month of pregnancy, Village H). "We got drugs to prevent or treat anemia and we were examined and provided with a new clinic attendance card (FGD, mother with 9th-month-old baby girl, Village N). "I started going to the clinic when I was five months pregnant.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

We were examining the hard neck.

The New Yorker

As we were examining them, they had another stroke.

The Guardian

That was a very enjoyable bit of litigation simply because we were examining some very unusual facts.

The Guardian

We were examining the legal papers conveying to someone else a piece of northern woodland which had once been important to us.

The New Yorker

We were examining a math textbook.

Huffington Post

The bombs are squeaky clean and presented in a glossy sterile environment as if we were examining each weapon at an arms show.

Vice

We were examining this situation every day as to whether it was or was not going to happen -- is this the time, or when?

Huffington Post

All other tests were classified as not attributable to the chronic conditions we were examining.

BMC Health Services Research

"So we're examining".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were examined", ensure the context clearly indicates who performed the examination and the purpose of the examination. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "we were examined" without specifying who conducted the examination. Unclear agency can weaken the sentence and obscure important details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were examined" functions as a passive voice construction, where the subject 'we' receives the action of being examined. This structure is commonly used to emphasize the action rather than the actor, as supported by examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were examined" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive voice construction. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, highlighting that it typically indicates a formal inspection or assessment. While versatile, clarity is crucial; specify who performed the examination to avoid ambiguity. In contexts where agency is important, consider using the active voice to create a more direct and clearer statement. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase appears most frequently in news and media and scientific sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we underwent examination

Formal phrasing, replaces the passive voice with an active construction.

we were assessed

Substitutes "examined" with a synonym that suggests a broader evaluation.

we were evaluated

Similar to assessed, but often implies a more formal or structured evaluation process.

we were inspected

Suggests a more detailed and thorough observation.

we received an examination

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the act of receiving the examination.

an examination was conducted on us

More formal and passive phrasing, emphasizing the examination process.

we were tested

Suggests a specific form of examination involving tests or trials.

we were checked

More informal, implies a quick or routine assessment.

we faced scrutiny

Implies a critical and detailed examination, often in a negative context.

we were observed

Focuses on the act of being watched or monitored, rather than a specific examination.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we were examined" to sound more active?

You can use an active voice construction such as "The doctor examined us" or "The panel assessed our skills". This makes the sentence more direct and clearly identifies the subject performing the action.

What's the difference between "we were examined" and "we were assessed"?

"We were examined" typically implies a detailed inspection or investigation, often in a medical or scientific context. "We were assessed", on the other hand, suggests a broader evaluation of skills, performance, or qualities. Consider using "we were evaluated" as another similar alternative.

Is it always better to avoid passive voice phrases like "we were examined"?

Not necessarily. While active voice is often preferred for its clarity and directness, passive voice can be useful when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or when you want to emphasize the action itself. For example, "we were examined by a doctor" is appropriate when the focus is on the examination, but use "the doctor examined us" if the doctor is the focal point.

What are some common situations where "we were examined" is typically used?

"We were examined" is commonly used in medical contexts (e.g., "we were examined by a doctor"), legal contexts (e.g., "we were examined under oath"), or scientific contexts (e.g., "we were examined for genetic markers").