we were grateful

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "We were grateful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing gratitude for something someone did for you. For example: "We were grateful that you took the time to help us with our project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And we were grateful.

The New York Times

We were grateful.

The New York Times

"We were grateful for the news coverage.

The New York Times - Arts

"We were grateful to him, but it's not guaranteed.

The New Yorker

At first we were grateful for the company of our guide, Changba, too.

The New York Times - Travel

'At first we were grateful when they brought us out a nut cutlet, but then......

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Later, we were grateful that a doctor at Bellevue Hospital did an immediate autopsy.

The New York Times

"We were grateful to be asked, and we wanted to help," Ms. Myers said.

The New York Times

More than anything we were grateful not to have to sleep alone.

The New York Times

He began by recounting the reasons that we were grateful to Señor and the Azcárate family.

The New Yorker

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The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were grateful" to express sincere appreciation for something specific. Be clear about what you are thankful for to make your gratitude meaningful.

Common error

Avoid using "we were grateful" without specifying what you are grateful for. Vague statements of gratitude can seem insincere or incomplete. Instead, clearly state the reason for your thankfulness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were grateful" functions as a statement of gratitude, expressing thankfulness for something that has occurred. Ludwig AI confirms this is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were grateful" is a versatile phrase used to express thankfulness for a past event or kindness. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. To maximize its impact, be specific about what you are grateful for. Consider using synonyms like "we were appreciative" or "we expressed our gratitude" for varied expression. The phrase is frequently found in News & Media, making it a neutral choice for professional and general communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were appreciative

Uses a different adjective to convey thankfulness.

we offered our thanks

Synonymous to expressing our gratitude.

we showed our appreciation

Emphasizes the act of demonstrating thankfulness.

we were in their debt

Highlights a sense of obligation and gratitude.

we expressed our gratitude

Formalizes the expression of thanks.

we extended our thanks

Formal way of expressing gratitude.

we recognized their kindness

Specifically acknowledges the act being appreciated.

we felt thankful

Focuses on the feeling of gratitude.

we valued their contribution

Emphasizes the worth of what was given.

we acknowledged our debt

Highlights the sense of obligation felt.

FAQs

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

Use "we were grateful" to express thankfulness for a specific action, gift, or event. For example, "We were grateful for their timely assistance."

What's a more formal alternative to "we were grateful"?

For a more formal tone, you could say, "we expressed our gratitude" or "we showed our appreciation".

Is it correct to say "we are grateful" instead of "we were grateful"?

Yes, "we are grateful" is correct. Use "we are grateful" for present situations and "we were grateful" for past situations.

What's the difference between "we were thankful" and "we were grateful"?

While similar, "we were grateful" often implies a specific act or kindness received, while "we felt thankful" can be a more general feeling of thankfulness.