we were in touch

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'we were in touch' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the communication between two or more people, and that they were in communication with each other. Example: My friends and I stayed in touch throughout college - we were in touch every week.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

"We were in touch with him and his doctor.

The Guardian - Sport

This particular evening we were in touch with the Wyoming.

The New Yorker

We were in touch and corresponded and occasionally saw each other.

Harvard University

Ultra-urban we may have been, but at least we were in touch.

The Guardian - Opinion

We were in touch through Facebook and he was always smiling and cheerful.

The Guardian

"We were in touch with the C.D.C. and instituted our aggressive housekeeping procedures right away.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

"We are in touch.

Independent

We are in touch with her family.

The Guardian

"But we are in touch with America.

The Guardian

We know of a few we are in touch with".

The Guardian

"We are in touch with the families," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add context you can specify the method of communication (e.g., "We were in touch by email") or the timeframe (e.g., "We were in touch last year").

Common error

While versatile, "we were in touch" can sound too informal in highly professional or academic writing. Consider stronger, more precise alternatives like "we communicated" or "we corresponded" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were in touch" functions as a statement of past communication or connection. It indicates that a relationship, whether personal or professional, involved some level of interaction. Examples from Ludwig show usage in various contexts, from maintaining contact with family to professional collaborations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Science

9%

Lifestyle

9%

Sport

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were in touch" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate past communication or contact between individuals or entities. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and examples demonstrate its use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, writers should consider more formal alternatives in professional settings. When using the expression remember to choose the most suitable related phrases such as ""we communicated"" or ""we corresponded"" as per the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we communicated

Directly replaces the phrase with a simpler verb emphasizing the act of communication.

we were in communication

Formal variation emphasizing the state of communication.

we kept in contact

Focuses on maintaining the connection over time.

we corresponded

Emphasizes written communication, like letters or emails.

we had contact

A more general way of saying there was some form of interaction.

we reached out

Highlights the initiation of communication from one party to another.

we connected

A more modern, versatile term for establishing a link.

we spoke

Focuses on verbal communication.

we were in conversation

Highlights the interactive nature of the communication.

we exchanged messages

Emphasizes the back-and-forth sending of messages.

FAQs

What does the phrase "we were in touch" mean?

The phrase "we were in touch" indicates that there was communication or contact between two or more people or entities at some point in the past. It implies a connection was maintained, whether regularly or intermittently.

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

You can use "we were in touch" to describe a past relationship where communication occurred. For example, "We were in touch through Facebook," or "We were in touch last year."

What's the difference between "we were in touch" and "we kept in touch"?

"We were in touch" simply states that communication happened. "We kept in touch" implies a continued effort to maintain communication over a period of time.

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

You can use alternatives like ""we communicated"", "we had contact", or ""we corresponded"" depending on the specific context and the nature of the communication.