we were hired

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were hired" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that one or more people were offered and accepted a job. Example: After months of searching for a job, we were hired as software developers at a local startup.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

We were hired as advisers to the Treasury Department for the TARP.

The New York Times

And we were hired to find a strategy for Corning to take advantage of this technology".

The New Yorker

"We were hired to help the state destroy an enemy and win a war," Remzi Ozay reasoned.

The New York Times

"The officers are answering our questions," Mr. Johnson said, "and we're making the judgments that we were hired to make".

The New York Times

D.Y.: We were hired specifically to do creative services, and so we weren't actually doing a rebranding.

The New York Times

"Until one day, when we were hired as laborers at a school construction site on Khajoo Street, which was where the city ended.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

We were hiring experts.

The New York Times - Science

"He wanted to know if we were hiring," he said.

The New York Times - Food

We did not say we were hiring 10 people to fill those openings".

The New York Times

We were hiring Indiana Joneses before anybody knew who Indiana Jones was".

The New York Times

"Some simply asked why we were hiring Chinese people.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were hired", clearly state the purpose or role for which you were hired to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, "We were hired to manage the social media campaign" is more informative than simply "We were hired."

Common error

A common mistake is failing to specify who hired you or for what purpose. Always clarify the hiring party and the intended task to provide clarity and avoid confusion for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were hired" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a group of people received employment or a contract. This construction shifts the focus from the entity doing the hiring to the group being hired. Ludwig examples show its use in various professional contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were hired" is a common and grammatically correct passive voice construction used to indicate that a group or entity has been employed or contracted for a specific purpose. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for use in written English. Analysis of usage data reveals that it is most frequently found in news and media sources. When using the phrase, it is important to provide context regarding the hiring party and the intended task to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases include "we were contracted" and "we were employed", offering alternative ways to convey the same meaning. Understanding these nuances ensures clear and effective communication in professional and other contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were contracted

Emphasizes the formal agreement or contract that led to employment.

we were employed

Highlights the state of being employed for a particular job.

we were appointed

Suggests a formal selection and assignment to a specific role.

we were commissioned

Indicates being officially tasked to do something, often artistic or specialized work.

we were recruited

Focuses on the process of being actively sought out and brought in for a role.

we were engaged

Highlights being formally involved or occupied with a specific task or project.

we were selected

Emphasizes the competitive nature of the hiring process and being chosen from a pool of candidates.

we were assigned

Indicates a direct assignment to a specific duty or task.

we were brought on board

Informal expression indicating being welcomed into a team or project.

our services were retained

More formal way of saying that a client hired our services for ongoing support.

FAQs

How to use "we were hired" in a sentence?

Use "we were hired" to indicate that your team or company was offered and accepted a job or contract. For instance, "We were hired to redesign their website".

What can I say instead of "we were hired"?

You can use alternatives like "we were contracted", "we were employed", or "we were commissioned" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "we were hiring" instead of "we were hired"?

No, "we were hiring" means that you were in the process of employing people, not that you were employed. "We were hired" indicates you received and accepted the job.

What's the difference between "we were hired" and "they hired us"?

While both phrases convey the same basic information, "we were hired" is in the passive voice, focusing on the receiver of the action. "they hired us" is in the active voice, emphasizing the actor (they) who did the hiring.