we were hit by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were hit by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe being affected by an event, often something negative like a disaster or an unexpected situation. Example: "We were hit by a severe storm that caused significant damage to our property."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

"We were hit by blind attacks".

The New Yorker

"We were hit by two nationalisms," he said.

The Guardian

He added: "We were hit by two nationalisms.

The Guardian

The momentum was on until we were hit by crisis.

The New York Times

"Last year, we were just finishing a race when we were hit by lightning," she said.

The New York Times

Then we were hit by the world financial crisis and the skyrocketing price of oil.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

"Have we been hit by the recession?

The New York Times

We being hit by tear gas, stun grenades.

The Guardian

"Then we're hit by a parent death.

The New York Times - Sports

Look, if we're hit by terrorists, we're going to call it what it is, a terrorist attack".

The New York Times

Look, if we are hit by terrorists, we're going to call it for what it is, a terrorist attack.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were hit by" to emphasize a sudden or forceful impact from an external event, particularly when describing unexpected setbacks or challenges.

Common error

Avoid using "we were hit by" in highly formal or academic writing where a more nuanced or precise term like "affected" or "influenced" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were hit by" functions as a passive construction indicating that the subject ('we') experienced a forceful or negative impact. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and widespread use. Examples show its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

13%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were hit by" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression to describe experiencing a sudden, often negative, impact from an external force or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, but also in formal and business settings. While versatile, it's important to consider the tone and register of your writing, as more formal alternatives like "we experienced" or "we were affected by" may be more appropriate in certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were struck by

Implies a sudden and forceful impact, similar to being physically hit.

we experienced

Uses a broader term to describe undergoing something, less forceful than being 'hit'.

we were impacted by

Emphasizes the force and consequence of the event.

we were affected by

Focuses on the result or influence of an event on the subject.

we suffered from

Indicates a negative experience or hardship resulting from an event.

we faced

Highlights the act of confronting a challenge or difficulty.

we sustained

Suggests enduring or undergoing damage or loss.

we encountered

Implies a chance meeting with an unexpected event or situation.

we were overwhelmed by

Highlights the feeling of being overpowered by an event or situation.

we were bombarded with

Conveys an overwhelming experience of being confronted with something.

FAQs

How can I use "we were hit by" in a sentence?

Use "we were hit by" to describe experiencing a sudden, often negative, impact from an external force or event. For example, "we were hit by a severe economic downturn".

What are some alternatives to "we were hit by"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "we experienced", "we were affected by", or "we faced".

Is "we were hit by" too informal for academic writing?

While generally acceptable, "we were hit by" can sometimes be perceived as informal. Consider using more precise or formal alternatives like "we were impacted by" or "we encountered" in academic contexts.

What's the difference between "we were hit by" and "we were affected by"?

"We were hit by" implies a more direct and forceful impact, while "we were affected by" suggests a broader influence or consequence. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.