we were not sent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were not sent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a group of people did not receive a directive or were not dispatched for a specific purpose. Example: "Despite the urgency of the situation, we were not sent to assist with the evacuation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"We were not shot; we were not sent into exile, but we were battered by shrapnel.

The New York Times

We were not sent with any special messages to deliver, nor did we come back with anything concrete to share with U.S. politicians.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

We weren't sent to Parliament to abstain.

Independent

We weren't sent to parliament to abstain".

The Guardian

Because we weren't sent images I've placed an image of Burt Reynolds here instead.

TechCrunch

"We weren't sent in to, to murder him," he said.

HuffPost

"We weren't sending a consistent look and feel across the site".

The New York Times

We weren't sending them off on a gap year to travel Europe — we would help them roll up their sleeves and figure out what it took to run a business.

Harvard Business Review

Seems simple, but in dissecting our practices, we realized we weren't sending emails.

HuffPost

We're not sending children up chimneys.

The Guardian

We're not sending a message".

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were not sent" to clearly indicate a lack of authorization or instruction, particularly in formal reports or explanations.

Common error

Avoid using "we were not sent" when you actually mean "we did not send". The passive voice emphasizes the receiver of the action (we), while the active voice emphasizes the doer of the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were not sent" functions as a declarative statement indicating the absence of a directive or order. As Ludwig AI points out, it conveys that a group did not receive instructions to go somewhere or do something. The examples illustrate this in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were not sent" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the absence of a directive or instruction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's effective for clarifying why a group did not take a particular action. While relatively rare, its usage is primarily found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and avoid confusing it with similar phrases like "we did not send". Remember to consider the context and choose the most appropriate alternative if a more specific meaning is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we did not receive orders

Changes the verb from 'sent' to 'receive orders' to convey the lack of instruction.

we were not dispatched

Replaces 'sent' with 'dispatched', indicating a formal assignment or mission.

we were not assigned

Uses 'assigned' instead of 'sent' to emphasize a formal task allocation.

we had no instructions

Focuses on the absence of directives rather than the action of sending.

we weren't given any mission

Emphasizes the lack of a specific task or objective.

we received no mandate

Replaces 'sent' with the idea of a 'mandate', highlighting the lack of authorization.

we were not authorized

Focuses on the absence of permission or approval to act.

we were not commissioned

Implies a lack of formal appointment or delegation.

we weren't directed to go

Highlights the absence of a specific command or instruction to proceed.

we did not volunteer

Shifts the focus to a lack of proactive participation rather than external direction.

FAQs

What does "we were not sent" mean?

The phrase "we were not sent" indicates that a group of people did not receive a directive or weren't dispatched for a particular purpose. It emphasizes the absence of instruction or authorization.

How can I rephrase "we were not sent"?

You can use alternatives like "we were not dispatched", "we did not receive orders", or "we had no instructions" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "we weren't sent"?

Yes, "we weren't sent" is a contraction of "we were not sent" and is perfectly acceptable in informal contexts. Both phrases carry the same meaning.

When should I use "we were not sent" instead of "we did not go"?

Use "we were not sent" when emphasizing the lack of a directive or instruction from an external authority. Use "we did not go" when focusing on a voluntary decision not to proceed, regardless of external instructions.