we were found out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were found out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a situation where someone’s secret or wrongdoing has been discovered. Example: "After weeks of lying about our plans, we were found out by our friends during the surprise party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

We were found out at the British border – thankfully the UK border agency was sympathetic.

The Guardian

We were wrong, we were found out, and we were publicly embarrassed.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

There's a lot of people talking about the structure we play and are we being found out?

BBC

But we have been found out, we haven't been good enough.

BBC

I knew one day we would be found out".

The New York Times

"To date, we have not been found out," he wrote.

The New York Times

"The only thing we can do is find out what we're made of.

The New York Times - Sports

Again, we don't actually believe deep down inside that we're capable and we will be found out.

Huffington Post

"We've been found out.

The Guardian

"To date," he wrote, "we have not been found out.

The New York Times

We were to find out soon enough".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were found out" when you want to express the idea that a secret or hidden action of a group has been discovered. The phrase often carries a connotation of surprise or unintended exposure.

Common error

Avoid using "we were found out" in contexts where the active voice is more appropriate. For example, instead of "We were found out by the authorities", consider using "The authorities found us out" if the authorities' action is the focus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were found out" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a group's secret, deception, or hidden activity has been discovered. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct. Examples show its use in narratives describing exposure.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were found out" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the discovery of a group's secret or hidden actions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not extremely common, it appears mainly in News & Media contexts. When writing, be mindful of using active voice where appropriate. Alternatives include "we were discovered" or "our secret was revealed".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were discovered

Replaces "found out" with a more general term for being discovered.

we were exposed

Suggests that something previously hidden has been revealed.

our secret was revealed

Emphasizes that a specific secret became known.

our deception was uncovered

Highlights that a deceptive act has been discovered.

our lies were exposed

Focuses specifically on the exposure of lies.

we were caught

A simpler, more direct way of saying that the speaker and others were found doing something wrong.

the truth about us came out

Indicates that the truth about a group of people has been revealed.

our actions were brought to light

Focuses on the revelation of specific actions.

our ruse was detected

Implies that a trick or scheme has been discovered.

we were seen through

Suggests that others recognized the true nature or intent of a group.

FAQs

What does "we were found out" mean?

It means that a secret or something hidden about "we" has been discovered or revealed.

What can I say instead of "we were found out"?

You can use alternatives like "we were discovered", "we were exposed", or "our secret was revealed" depending on the context.

Is "we were found out" formal or informal?

The phrase is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it leans slightly towards informal.

How to use "we were found out" in a sentence?

Example: After weeks of planning the surprise party, "we were found out" when someone accidentally mentioned it in front of the birthday person.