we were in contact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were in contact" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that you had communication or interaction with someone in the past. Example: "During the project, we were in contact with several stakeholders to ensure everything was on track."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"We were in contact all the time".

The New York Times

We were in contact with people we would have never dreamt of being with before.

The Guardian

"We were in contact with her for ages online," Eilis later said.

The New Yorker

We were in contact with more than 80 candidates, representing some of the most respected media organizations in the country.

MIT Technology Review

Nevertheless, I would question whether these commenters would have done anything different from what I did in the three seconds that we were in contact.

The Guardian - Opinion

But we were in contact with Kevin and his team throughout the weekend, so we kind of had an idea of what would be coming in and when".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

"We are in contact again.

The New York Times

"We're in contact constantly.

The New York Times - Magazine

How will we be in contact?

The New Yorker

We are in contact with his family".

The New York Times

"We are in contact with local authorities.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider adding more details on the frequency, method (email, phone, etc), or purpose of contact, if relevant. Instead of just saying "we were in contact", you could say "we were in contact via email to coordinate logistics".

Common error

Avoid using "we were in contact" when a more active construction would be clearer and more engaging. For example, instead of "we were in contact with the client", try "we contacted the client" to highlight your action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were in contact" functions as a statement indicating a past communicative relationship. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe interactions with various individuals and organizations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were in contact" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate past communication or interaction. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is versatile enough for both formal and informal contexts. When you are writing it's important to consider providing more detail regarding the specific methods or reasons to use it more efficaciously and be clearer to the audience. Some possible alternatives are "we communicated" or "we were in touch".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we communicated

This alternative uses a simpler verb to convey the act of communication.

we were in touch

This is a common synonym expressing a similar level of connection and communication.

we were in communication

A more formal and slightly less common way to express the same idea.

we had communication with

This alternative is slightly more formal and emphasizes the act of having communication.

we maintained contact with

This alternative emphasizes the ongoing nature of the communication.

we kept in communication with

Similar to 'maintained contact', but focuses on the continuation of the communication itself.

we liaised with

This suggests a more formal and collaborative form of communication.

we engaged with

Implies a more active and involved form of communication or interaction.

we corresponded with

This suggests written communication, such as letters or emails.

we dialogued with

Suggests a two-way conversation or discussion.

FAQs

What does "we were in contact" mean?

The phrase "we were in contact" means that there was communication or interaction between two or more parties at some point in the past. It does not specify the frequency or method of communication.

What can I say instead of "we were in contact"?

You can use alternatives like "we communicated", "we were in touch", or "we maintained contact with", depending on the context.

Is "we were in contact" formal or informal?

"We were in contact" is appropriate for both formal and informal settings. However, in more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "we liaised with" or "we corresponded with".

How can I provide more detail than just saying "we were in contact"?

To add more detail, specify the method of communication (e.g., "we were in contact via email"), the frequency (e.g., "we were in daily contact"), or the purpose (e.g., "we were in contact to coordinate the project").