we were harassed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were harassed by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone experienced unwanted or aggressive behavior from another party. Example: "During the event, we were harassed by a group of individuals who refused to leave us alone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"We were harassed by the regime.

The New York Times

I was particularly nervous because at this same event and location last year we were harassed by coal industry supporters who called me out by name and threatened my family.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

We are harassed by sensory overload, jittery from cell phone addiction and plagued by ever-shorter attention spans.

Huffington Post

They were harassed by these people".

The Guardian

During last summer's demonstrations, female protesters were harassed by Basijis, and sexually threatened.

The New Yorker

Young women kneeling on the deck were harassed by officers who made obscene comments and gestures.

The New York Times

My family and friends were harassed by police and state security agents.

The Guardian - Opinion

The two whistle-blowers said they were harassed by supervisors after filing their complaint.

The New York Times

Mr Fitch and his brother, Michael, were harassed by Roy Caterer, a sports instructor at a boarding school used by Islington.

Independent

Outside, some of the women in the group were harassed by men standing nearby.

BBC

As one example, the Florida missions were harassed by slave-raiding peoples whose origins lie in the Great Lakes region (Bowne 2005).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were harassed by", ensure the context clearly indicates who the perpetrators were and the nature of the harassment. Providing specific details can strengthen the impact and credibility of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "we were harassed by" without specifying the type of harassment or the individuals or groups responsible. Vague statements can weaken your message and leave room for misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were harassed by" functions as a passive voice construction where the subject "we" receives the action of "harassed". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were harassed by" is a grammatically sound and commonly used construction to describe an experience of being subjected to unwanted or aggressive behavior. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to be specific about the nature of the harassment and the identity of the harassers to ensure clarity and strengthen the impact of your message. Consider alternatives such as "we were subjected to harassment by" for a more formal tone or "we felt harassed by" to emphasize the subjective experience. Avoid vagueness to prevent misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were subjected to harassment by

More formal and emphasizes the act of being subjected to something unpleasant.

we experienced harassment from

Focuses on the experience of harassment, making it more personal.

we faced harassment from

Highlights the act of confronting or dealing with harassment.

we were targeted by

Suggests intentionality and a specific focus in the harassment.

we were intimidated by

Highlights the feeling of fear and coercion resulting from the actions.

we were badgered by

Implies persistent and annoying harassment.

we were victimized by

Emphasizes the role of being a victim of the harassment.

we were disturbed by

Similar to 'troubled', but can imply a stronger emotional reaction.

we were troubled by

More subtle and suggests a lighter form of disturbance or worry caused by someone.

we were persecuted by

Suggests systematic and often unjust treatment, often due to identity or beliefs.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we were harassed by" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using "we were subjected to harassment by" or "we experienced unwanted advances from". You could also specify the type of harassment, such as "we were subjected to verbal abuse by".

What are some synonyms for "harassed" that I can use in place of "we were harassed by"?

Depending on the context, you could use synonyms such as "intimidated", "bullied", "tormented", or "persecuted". The best choice depends on the severity and nature of the actions.

Is it grammatically correct to say "we were harassed by"?

Yes, "we were harassed by" is grammatically correct. It uses the passive voice correctly, indicating that "we" were the recipients of the action (harassment).

What's the difference between "we were harassed by" and "we felt harassed by"?

"We were harassed by" implies that harassment objectively occurred. "We felt harassed by" suggests a subjective experience of feeling harassed, even if the actions might not meet a strict definition of harassment. It focuses more on the emotional impact.