we were followed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were followed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something has been tracking or tailing a group of people in a past context. Example: "As we walked through the dark alley, we were followed by an unknown figure, making us feel uneasy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

We were followed immediately.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We were followed absolutely everywhere.

The New Yorker

We were followed everywhere by cameras.

The New York Times

It was very hectic and we were followed by soldiers who tailed people all the time.

The Guardian

"After the Baftas we were followed by a car, which I found really upsetting".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"It's easy to imagine that we were followed by a black cloud.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

We are followed.

The Guardian

— I am? — Are we being followed?

The New Yorker

—I am? —Are we being followed?

The New Yorker

We are followed worldwide and you know what your fans expect.

The New York Times

We are followed by normal people. .

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary the language you use to describe the act of being followed. Alternatives like "tailed", "pursued", or "under surveillance" can add nuance and interest to your writing. If you want to be more emphatic use the sentence in active voice, like "someone was tailing us".

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly establishing who "we" refers to. If the subject is unclear, the sentence loses its impact and can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were followed" functions as a passive voice construction. Ludwig AI confirms this structure and usage across numerous examples, indicating its role in describing an action performed upon a group without necessarily specifying the actor.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were followed" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive construction that describes a group being tracked or pursued, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its primary use is to convey surveillance or pursuit, often with an undertone of unease or concern. As the Ludwig AI reports, the phrase commonly appears in news and media contexts, and to enhance clarity, always ensure that the subject and actor (if known) are clearly defined. Alternative phrases such as "we were being tailed" or "someone was tailing us" can offer slight variations in meaning or tone. Be mindful of ambiguity and consider active voice constructions for directness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were being tailed

Replaces "followed" with "tailed", a more colloquial term for being followed.

we were under surveillance

Indicates a more formal and potentially official form of being followed or watched.

we were being watched

A more general term, implying observation but not necessarily physical following.

we were pursued

Suggests a more active and possibly threatening form of being followed.

someone was tailing us

Shifts the sentence structure to an active voice, specifying that someone was doing the following.

we sensed someone tracking us

Emphasizes the feeling or suspicion of being followed rather than the certainty.

we had a shadow

Uses a metaphorical term, "shadow", to describe someone following closely.

we couldn't shake them off

Highlights the difficulty in escaping the person or entity following.

we noticed we had company

A more subtle way of indicating that someone was following, implying unwanted attention.

a presence trailed us

Emphasizes the feeling of being followed by something unseen or unknown.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says, "we were followed"?

It means that a group of people (represented by "we") were being tracked or pursued by someone or something. This could be literal, such as being physically followed, or more metaphorical, like being under surveillance.

What are some alternatives to saying, "we were followed"?

You can use alternatives like "we were being tailed", "we were under surveillance", or "someone was tailing us" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "we were followed"?

Yes, "we were followed" is grammatically correct. It's a passive voice construction, indicating that "we" received the action of being followed.

What's the difference between "we were followed" and "we followed"?

"We were followed" means someone or something was tracking or pursuing "us". "We followed" means "we" were the ones doing the tracking or pursuing. The difference lies in who is performing the action.