we were intrigued by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were intrigued by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing curiosity or interest in a particular subject, idea, or situation. Example: "After reading the report, we were intrigued by the innovative solutions proposed for the environmental issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were intrigued by him".

The New Yorker

Still, we were intrigued by the concept.

The New York Times

In Atlanta, "we were intrigued by the whole story," said Damon, the CDC's pox virus chief.

The Washington Post

But as novice canoers, we were intrigued by the thought of exploring the waterways ourselves.

The New York Times - Travel

We were intrigued by his report cards — bearing few A's — from Groton and Harvard.

The New York Times - Travel

And we were intrigued by the range of careers available in the space industry.

The Guardian

We were intrigued by a series of spikes in 1919, 1946, 1973 and after 2001.

The Economist

Since there is so much focus on the importance of diversity in problem solving, we were intrigued by these results.

Harvard Business Review

"We were intrigued by the idea that he wanted to create a visual dialogue using a range of the collection".

The New York Times - Arts

"But we were intrigued by how poorly our soldiers did compared to the soldiers of World War II".

The New York Times - Health

We were intrigued by this one because it's a smart idea and we hope we'll get to benefit from that.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were intrigued by" to introduce an element of curiosity or mild surprise, setting the stage for further exploration or explanation. It works well when presenting something that initially sparked your interest and led to further investigation.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences or paragraphs with "we were intrigued by", as it can become repetitive and monotonous. Vary your sentence structure and use synonyms to maintain reader engagement. For example, try starting a sentence with the subject that intrigued you.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were intrigued by" primarily functions as a statement of initial interest or curiosity. It sets the stage for further discussion or investigation, as demonstrated by examples in Ludwig like, "We were intrigued by the idea that he wanted to create a visual dialogue using a range of the collection". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were intrigued by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey initial curiosity or interest. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. Predominantly found in "News & Media" and "Science", it sets the stage for subsequent discussion. While versatile, varying sentence structure can prevent overuse. Related alternatives include "we found it fascinating" and "we were captivated by". Overall, "we were intrigued by" is a reliable phrase for expressing initial interest, but should be used thoughtfully to maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we found it fascinating

Replaces "intrigued" with a more general term for finding something interesting. It's direct and conveys a strong sense of interest.

we were captivated by

Suggests a strong sense of being charmed or fascinated, emphasizing the captivating nature of the subject.

we were fascinated by

Directly expresses a feeling of fascination, highlighting the intriguing qualities of the object or idea.

we were curious about

Indicates a desire to know more about something, emphasizing the inquisitive aspect of interest.

we took an interest in

A more formal way of expressing interest, suitable for professional contexts.

we were drawn to

Implies a sense of attraction or pull towards the subject, suggesting a compelling quality.

it piqued our interest

Focuses on the act of something stimulating interest, rather than the state of being interested.

we found it compelling

Highlights the irresistible or persuasive quality of the subject.

we showed interest in

More descriptive and less emphatic, indicating a display of interest without necessarily feeling it strongly.

we were taken with

Indicates that something has pleased or charmed you

FAQs

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

Use "we were intrigued by" to express initial interest or curiosity about something. For example, "We were intrigued by the study's findings and decided to replicate the experiment".

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

You can use alternatives like "we found it fascinating", "we were captivated by", or "we were curious about depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "we were intrigued by" in formal writing?

Yes, "we were intrigued by" is suitable for formal writing, especially in reports or analyses where you want to express a professional interest in a topic. However, ensure the overall tone remains objective and avoid overly enthusiastic language.

What's the difference between "we were intrigued by" and "we were surprised by"?

"We were intrigued by" suggests curiosity and interest, while "we were surprised by" indicates unexpectedness. Use "we were intrigued by" when something sparks your interest and "we were surprised by" when something is unexpected.