we were issued

USAGE SUMMARY

"we were issued" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the action of being given something. For example, "We were issued our textbooks at the beginning of the school year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

We were issued with one pint of Whitbread's beer each.

The Guardian

We were issued with rulers, compasses and set squares.

The Guardian - Opinion

In return we were issued with two pairs of short underpants.

Independent

I still remember the hanks of heavy, slightly oily, dark-khaki yarn we were issued, and the blurred mimeographed patterns for scarves and socks.

The New Yorker

We were issued rooms at the rather romantic second world war-era hotel, the St George, but also automatically assigned government "minders" who followed us day and night.

The Guardian - Opinion

On the gun site, we were issued with three pairs of pants, three pairs of khaki directory knickers, a uniform and boots.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

We're issuing a challenge.

The Guardian

We feel the charges we are issuing are fair".

The Guardian - Money

"That's why we are issuing this warning".

The New York Times

We have a photo of a Makarov type 9mm handgun which we are issuing.

The Guardian

Has the Fed been buying anything like three-quarters of the debt that we're issuing?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were issued" when you want to emphasize that items were officially distributed or provided by an authority or organization.

Common error

Avoid using "we issued" when you mean "we were issued". "We issued" means that we did the issuing, not that we received something. Ensure the correct voice to convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were issued" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject (we) received something from an external source. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and usable English construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

8%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were issued" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for indicating the receipt of items or instructions, often from an authority. As Ludwig AI points out, it accurately describes the action of being given something. It's most frequently encountered in news and media, with a neutral to formal register. When writing, ensure that you're using it in the passive voice correctly, emphasizing that "we" received something, rather than actively giving it. Related phrases, such as "we received" or "we were given", can offer simpler alternatives depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were given

A simpler way of saying that something was handed to someone.

we received

Uses a more direct verb to indicate the act of getting something.

we were provided with

Emphasizes the act of being given something by someone or something.

we were supplied with

Highlights the act of being furnished with needed items.

we were furnished with

More formal way of saying we were provided with.

we obtained

Suggests that some effort was involved in getting something.

we were allocated

Indicates that something was specifically designated for us.

we were granted

Suggests a formal or official authorization to receive something.

we acquired

Implies gaining possession of something, often through purchase or effort.

we collected

Indicates gathering items, usually after some effort.

FAQs

How to use "we were issued" in a sentence?

Use "we were issued" to indicate that you or a group received something, typically from an authority. For example, "We were issued uniforms before starting our training."

What can I say instead of "we were issued"?

You can use alternatives like "we received", "we were given", or "we were provided with" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "we were issued" or "we issued"?

"We were issued" is correct when you want to say that you received something. "We issued" means that you gave something to someone else. Choose the correct option based on who is performing the action.

What's the difference between "we were issued" and "we obtained"?

"We were issued" implies a formal distribution, often from an authority. "We obtained" "we obtained" suggests more general acquisition, which can include buying, finding, or earning something.