we were married

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "We were married" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You could use this sentence in a variety of contexts, such as talking about an old relationship or describing a past event. For example: "We were married for five years, but eventually divorced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

We were married in 1971.

The New Yorker

We were married 52 years.

The New York Times

We were married in May.

The New York Times

The day we were married.

The New York Times

"They presumed we were married.

Independent

"We were married 50 years.

The New York Times

We were married in 1982.

The New York Times - Travel

Skip: We were married on May 6.

The New York Times

"We've always thought we were married".

The New York Times

That's how long we were married.

The New Yorker

"We got it when we were married.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were married", ensure the context clearly indicates the time frame being discussed. For example, specify the year or duration of the marriage for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "we were married" without a clear indication of whether the marriage is ongoing or has ended. If the marriage has ended, consider adding "for X years" or "but we are now divorced" to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were married" functions as a declarative statement indicating a past marital status. It asserts that at some point in the past, the individuals referred to by "we" were in a state of marriage. Ludwig AI examples show various contexts of its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Unknown

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were married" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a past marital status. As shown by Ludwig, it's frequently found in News & Media, signaling a neutral register and informative purpose. When using this phrase, it's crucial to provide context regarding the duration or timeframe of the marriage, especially if it is no longer ongoing. Alternative phrases like "we tied the knot" or "we exchanged vows" can be used to emphasize different aspects of the marriage. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is a standard and accepted part of the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we said 'I do'

Focuses on the agreement to marry.

we tied the knot

Uses a more informal, idiomatic expression to describe getting married.

we were united in marriage

Emphasizes the union created by marriage.

we exchanged vows

Focuses on the ceremonial aspect of marriage.

we became a married couple

Highlights the couple's new status.

we became husband and wife

Highlights the change in roles after marriage.

we walked down the aisle

Refers to the wedding ceremony itself.

we entered into matrimony

Uses a more formal and traditional term for marriage.

we joined in holy matrimony

Like 'we entered into matrimony', but more related to church.

our wedding took place

Shifts the focus to the event of the wedding rather than the act of marrying.

FAQs

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

You can use "we were married" to describe a past marital status. For example: "We were married in 2010, but divorced five years later."

What's the difference between "we were married" and "we got married"?

"We got married" refers to the act of becoming married, while "we were married" describes the state of being married at a certain time. For example, "We got married in June" vs "We were married for ten years".

Is it correct to say "we are married" instead of "we were married"?

"We are married" indicates a current marital status, whereas "we were married" refers to a past status. Use "we are married" if you are still married.

What can I say instead of "we were married" to emphasize the ceremony?

You could use phrases like "we exchanged vows" or "we tied the knot" to focus on the wedding event.