we were hungry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were hungry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a state of hunger experienced by a group of people in the past. Example: "After a long day of hiking, we were hungry and ready to eat a hearty meal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were hungry".

The New Yorker

"We were hungry often.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We were hungry sometimes".

The New York Times

But we were hungry and tired.

The New York Times - Magazine

We answered that we were hungry.

The Guardian

It was dark and we were hungry.

The New York Times

"We were hungry for these two games.

The New York Times - Sports

We were hungry, too, but we talked.

The New Yorker

After a while, we were hungry.

The New York Times

The airline personnel knew we were hungry.

The New York Times

We were hungry for blood that, for once, wasn't spilled.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about past experiences, use the phrase "we were hungry" to clearly and directly convey a shared feeling of hunger. This phrase is universally understood and easily relatable for readers.

Common error

Avoid using "we were hungry" when you mean "we were starving" or "we had a slight appetite". Choose a word that accurately reflects the level of hunger you want to express.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were hungry" functions as a statement expressing a past state of being. It uses the past tense of the verb "to be" and an adjective to describe the condition of a group. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were hungry" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a past state of hunger experienced by a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and versatile, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its prevalence in news and media demonstrates its broad applicability, while alternatives like "we felt hungry" or "we were famished" can add nuance or emphasis. When writing, ensure the chosen phrase accurately reflects the intended degree of hunger.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we felt hungry

Replaces the verb "were" with "felt", emphasizing the sensation of hunger.

we had hunger

Uses "hunger" as a noun, indicating the presence of hunger within the group.

we were famished

Replaces "hungry" with "famished", indicating a stronger degree of hunger.

we were starving

Substitutes "hungry" with "starving", implying extreme hunger and potential distress.

we craved food

Shifts the focus to craving food rather than just experiencing hunger.

we needed sustenance

Uses more formal language to express the need for food.

we were peckish

Replaces "hungry" with "peckish", indicating a mild hunger or desire for a snack.

our stomachs rumbled

Focuses on the physical sensation of hunger.

we wanted a bite to eat

Expresses the desire to eat something.

we were ready for a meal

Indicates preparedness and anticipation for eating.

FAQs

What are some other ways to say "we were hungry"?

You can use phrases such as "we felt hungry", "we were famished", or "we were starving" to express the same idea with slightly different nuances.

Is it grammatically correct to say "we were hungry"?

Yes, "we were hungry" is grammatically correct. It uses the past tense of the verb "to be" ("were") correctly with the subject "we" and the adjective "hungry".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "we were hungry"?

Use "we were hungry" when describing a past situation where a group of people experienced the sensation of hunger. It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts.

What's the difference between "we were hungry" and "we are hungry"?

"We were hungry" describes a past state of hunger, while "we are hungry" describes a current state of hunger. The difference is in the timing of the experience.