we were guaranteed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were guaranteed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a promise or assurance that was made to a group of people in the past. Example: "When we signed the contract, we were guaranteed a full refund if the service did not meet our expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

We were guaranteed an early check-in with the hotel since we had prepaid.

The New York Times

If we treated China as an enemy, we were guaranteeing a future enemy.

The New York Times

We were guaranteed to win a Ford Explorer, a television or a vacation.

The New York Times

When we chopped off our long hair and consented to join the workforce, we were guaranteed a job for life.

The Guardian - Books

We were guaranteed that the confidentiality of victims would be preserved, that their names would not end up anywhere.

The New Yorker

We were guaranteed it.

Huffington Post

We were guaranteed struggles in this life by the Author of the whole thing.

Huffington Post

As soon as we checked into the Norblad Hotel & Hostel, we were directed to Fort George Brewery, the only place we were guaranteed to get a meal at this hour.

Huffington Post

This way we were guaranteed that one and only one pair of splicing (or gene model) variants per pair of gene IDs would contribute to the PID histogram.

Biology Direct

We are guaranteeing security at the lowest cost for consumers.

The Guardian - Business

"Now we are guaranteed third and we are determined to push on.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were guaranteed", ensure the context clearly establishes who made the guarantee and what specific outcome was assured. This enhances clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive voice constructions like "we were guaranteed" if it obscures agency. Consider rephrasing to highlight who provided the guarantee: "The hotel guaranteed us an early check-in" is more direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were guaranteed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a guarantee was given to the subject ('we'). It highlights the state of being assured about something. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were guaranteed" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase in English, indicating that an assurance or promise was made to a group of people. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is correct and understandable. While not extremely common, it appears frequently in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about who provided the guarantee and the specifics of what was assured. Related options include "we were promised" or "we had assurance", depending on the desired nuance. Avoid overusing the passive voice; sometimes, an active construction is more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were promised

A direct synonym, replacing 'guaranteed' with 'promised'.

we were assured

Similar to 'promised', but emphasizes reassurance.

we received a guarantee

Emphasizes the receipt of the guarantee itself as a noun.

we had assurance

Focuses on the possession of assurance rather than the act of guaranteeing.

we were given a pledge

Highlights the act of giving a formal commitment.

we secured a commitment

Emphasizes the action of obtaining a firm agreement.

we obtained a warranty

Refers to a specific type of guarantee, often for products.

we were under the impression

Suggests a belief based on something conveyed, though not necessarily a formal guarantee.

we had it on good authority

Indicates reliance on reliable information, implying a guarantee.

we were led to believe

Suggests an induced belief, which could be weaker than a guarantee.

FAQs

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

Use "we were guaranteed" to describe a situation where you and others received an assurance about a specific outcome. For example, "We were guaranteed a refund if the product failed".

What's a good alternative to "we were guaranteed"?

Alternatives include "we were promised", "we were assured", or "we had assurance" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "we were guaranteed" or "we had a guarantee"?

Both are correct, but "we were guaranteed" emphasizes the action of guaranteeing, while "we had a guarantee" emphasizes the existence of the guarantee as a noun. The best choice depends on the context.

Can "we were guaranteed" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "we were guaranteed" is suitable for formal writing, especially when describing contractual obligations or official assurances. However, ensure the source of the guarantee is credible.