we were headed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were headed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a direction or destination that a group of people was moving towards in the past. Example: "As the sun began to set, we were headed towards the campsite, eager to set up our tents before dark."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

We were headed down a bad road.

The New Yorker

That was where we were headed.

The New Yorker

What if we were headed there anyway?

The New York Times - Books

Or we were headed for real danger".

The New York Times - Sports

We were headed for Guatemala to renew our tourist permits, we were headed away from heroin.

The New Yorker

We were headed to a nearby town called Donna.

The New Yorker

We were headed toward a dimly lit cinder-block shack.

The New Yorker

We were headed, both of us, for the dirt".

The New Yorker

We were headed for the Al Jezaaer police station.

The New Yorker

We were headed back to scarf weather now.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

We were heading for a press conference.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were headed" to clearly indicate a past direction or destination of a group. It's particularly effective when narrating a journey or explaining past intentions.

Common error

Ensure the context makes it clear who "we" refers to. Vague references can confuse readers, especially if multiple groups are involved in the narrative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were headed" functions as a past continuous verb phrase, indicating a state of movement or progression towards a specific location or goal in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were headed" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe past movement or intended direction. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability, particularly in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "we were going" exist, the specific phrasing offers clarity and context in narrating past events. When writing, ensure clarity regarding who "we" represents to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were going

Simpler phrasing that indicates movement towards a destination. Less specific about the intended goal.

we were on our way

Indicates that the journey has begun and progress is being made. Emphasizes the process of travel.

we were bound for

More formal way of saying "we were headed". Emphasizes the destination as a fixed point.

our destination was

Focuses on the final point of arrival, rather than the act of moving toward it.

we aimed to reach

Highlights the intention and effort to arrive at a certain place.

we planned to go to

Emphasizes the pre-arranged plan to visit a location.

we intended to visit

Similar to 'planned to go to' but focuses on the purpose of the visit.

we set out for

Highlights the beginning of the journey toward a particular location.

we were making for

Indicates movement in a specific direction, often implying some effort or difficulty.

our route took us to

Focuses on the path taken and the places visited along the way.

FAQs

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

The phrase "we were headed" indicates the direction or destination a group was moving towards in the past. For example: "As the sun set, we were headed back to camp."

What are some alternatives to using "we were headed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "we were going", "we were on our way", or "we were bound for".

Is it more formal to say "we were headed" or "we were going"?

"We were headed" can be slightly more descriptive and is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. "We were going" is generally more informal.

Can "we were headed" be used to describe intentions, or only physical directions?

While it often refers to physical direction, "we were headed" can also describe intentions or the direction of a project. For example, "We were headed toward a solution."