we were gone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were gone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a group of people has left a place or is no longer present. Example: "When we returned to the party, we realized that we were gone for too long and missed the surprise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We were gone.

The New York Times - Sports

"I knew we were gone," Velazquez said.

The New York Times - Sports

Someone was here while we were gone.

The New Yorker

Someone came in while we were gone".

The New Yorker

And like that – whoosh – we were gone.

The Guardian - Sport

Then they realized we were gone.

The New York Times

All our neighbors thought we were gone".

The New Yorker

"Everyone thought we were gone," Mr. Ibrahim said.

The New York Times

"But when you came back," Neil said, "we were gone".

The New Yorker

People would stay there when we were gone.

The New York Times - Arts

If we were gone, the building would be decontrolled.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were gone" to clearly indicate that a group of people had left a place or situation at a specific point in the past. This phrase is useful in narrative contexts to emphasize a completed action of departure.

Common error

Ensure clarity by providing context regarding when and why "we were gone". Without context, the reader might misunderstand the duration or purpose of the absence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were gone" functions as a statement indicating a past state of absence or departure. Ludwig AI, in its analysis, confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples where the phrase clearly communicates the idea that a group of people had left a place or situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were gone" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate a past state of absence or departure. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "we had left" or "we had departed". While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it’s crucial to provide context to avoid ambiguity. Remember to use this phrase to clearly communicate that a group of people had left a place or situation at a specific point in the past.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we had left

Similar to 'we had departed' but less formal.

we were absent

States a condition of not being present at a specific time or place.

we were no longer there

Emphasizes the absence from a particular location.

we had departed

Formal alternative indicating a completed act of leaving.

we took off

Informal, suggests a quick or hurried departure.

we disappeared

Implies a sudden or mysterious departure.

we cleared out

Suggests a complete removal of people and things from a place.

we vanished

Suggests a complete and often inexplicable disappearance.

we exited the scene

Formal way of saying 'we left'.

we bailed out

Informal, usually indicates leaving a problematic situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "we were gone" to indicate a past state of absence or departure. For example: "When they returned, they found that "we were gone"."

What's a less common way to say "we were gone"?

Alternatives include more formal options like "we had departed" or more descriptive phrases such as "we were no longer there".

Is "we were gone" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "we were gone" is more appropriate for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using "we had left" or "we had departed" for a more polished tone.

What's the difference between "we were gone" and "we disappeared"?

"We were gone" simply indicates absence, while "we disappeared" implies a sudden or mysterious departure. The latter adds a sense of drama or unexplained vanishing.