we were familiar

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were familiar" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that you had knowledge or experience with something or someone in the past. Example: "When we first met, we were familiar with each other's work from previous collaborations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

In Hitchcock films, Cary Grant and James Stewart played average men in serious predicaments, but we were familiar with the two actors as highly stylized, invincible stars, and that familiarity allowed us to relish the movies as fanciful adventures.

The New Yorker

We were familiar with the sentiments.

The New York Times

We were familiar with a number of them.

The New York Times

We were familiar with taro root, a potatolike bulb with white flesh.

The New York Times

By then, for instance, we were familiar with conceptualism, that other bugbear of the media.

The Guardian - Arts

We were familiar with the late Herman Kahn's scenario approach and were intrigued by its possibilities for corporate planning.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

We're familiar with each other".

The New York Times - Sports

Switzerland we're familiar with.

The Guardian - Sport

We're familiar with this strategy.

MIT Technology Review

We're familiar with this framework.

The Guardian

"We're familiar with filing financial reports.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were familiar", ensure that the context clearly establishes who "we" refers to, especially if it's not immediately obvious to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "we were familiar" without clearly defining who the "we" represents. Ambiguity can confuse the reader. Specify the group or individuals being referenced for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were familiar" functions as a statement indicating past knowledge or experience. It asserts that the subject (we) had prior awareness or understanding of something. Ludwig AI examples confirm its use in various contexts to establish prior acquaintance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

26%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were familiar" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey prior knowledge or experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile enough for various contexts, including news, academic writing, and general communication. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media sources, followed by Academia and Science. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding who "we" refers to. Consider alternatives like "we knew" or "we were acquainted with" for variations in tone or emphasis. The phrase is deemed grammatically correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we had familiarity with

Replaces the adjective with a noun form of familiarity.

we knew

A more concise and direct way of expressing familiarity.

we were acquainted with

Indicates a formal or superficial level of familiarity.

we had experience with

Focuses on the experiential aspect of familiarity.

we were conversant with

Highlights knowledge and understanding.

we understood

Emphasizes comprehension and grasp of the subject.

we were no strangers to

Indicates frequent or prolonged exposure.

we had a background in

Suggests prior training or education.

we were versed in

Indicates proficiency or expertise.

we recognized

Focuses on the act of identifying something known.

FAQs

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

You can use "we were familiar" to indicate prior knowledge or experience, such as, "We were familiar with the software, so the training was quick."

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

You can use alternatives like "we knew", "we were acquainted with", or "we had experience with" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "we were familiar" in formal writing?

Yes, "we were familiar" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing previous experience or knowledge relevant to the topic. However, ensure the context is clear and the pronoun "we" is well-defined.

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

"We were familiar with" indicates a past state of knowledge or experience, while "we are familiar with" indicates a current state. For example, "We were familiar with the old system" (past) versus "We are familiar with the new regulations" (present).