we were outside

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were outside" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where you and others were located outdoors at a specific time in the past. Example: "During the summer, we were outside playing games until the sun went down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

It was the reason we were outside on the patio.

The New Yorker

We were outside, enjoying the warm end-of-summer air.

The New Yorker

Where were you when we were outside in the cold?

The New York Times

"It looked like we were outside," Dr. Stone said.

The New York Times - Science

"If we weren't surfing we were outside juggling a soccer ball in between surf sessions.

The Guardian - Sport

"All of their positions were linked underground," Gauda said when we were outside again.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Just text me when we're outside".

The New Yorker

"During the daytime, we're outside watching for the planes.

The New Yorker

Two seconds later, and we're outside in the street.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

By this point it's dark, we're outside, and bugs are eating us alive.

The New York Times - Arts

"When we are outside [our home countries] there is never a problem," he says.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were outside" to clearly indicate a past location and situation. It's especially effective when contrasting being indoors or in a specific location with being in a more open environment.

Common error

Avoid using "we were outside" when a more specific location is relevant or known. For example, instead of saying "we were outside", specify "we were in the garden" or "we were on the patio" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were outside" functions primarily as a statement of location in the past. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it places the subject (we) in an exterior environment, often contrasting with an implied or stated interior. It serves to set the scene or provide context for subsequent actions or events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were outside" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression primarily functioning to establish a past exterior location. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. While alternatives like "we stood outdoors" or "we were located outdoors" exist, "we were outside" remains a straightforward and widely accepted choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we stood outdoors

Replaces "were outside" with a more formal verb and synonym for "outside".

we were standing outdoors

Adds the verb "standing" for emphasis on the action of being in an outdoor location.

we were located outdoors

Uses a more formal tone with "located" to indicate position.

we were in the open air

Emphasizes the freeness and exposure of being outside.

we were under the open sky

Focuses on the visual of being exposed to the sky.

we found ourselves outdoors

Highlights a sense of unexpectedness or transition to being outside.

we had gone outside

Focuses on the action of going to an outside location.

we exited to the outside

Emphasizes the act of leaving an enclosed space for the open.

the exterior was where we were

Inverts sentence structure emphasizing exterior location.

our group was situated outside

Describes a group's location with a slightly more formal tone.

FAQs

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

You can use "we were outside" to describe a past scenario where you and others were located in an open or exterior setting. For instance, "We were outside enjoying the warm weather" or "We were outside when it started to rain."

What is a more formal alternative to "we were outside"?

A more formal alternative to "we were outside" could be "we were located outdoors" or "we were situated outdoors", which provide a slightly elevated tone while conveying the same meaning.

Is it ever incorrect to use "we were outside"?

While grammatically correct, using "we were outside" might be less effective if a more precise location is known and relevant. For example, specifying "we were in the park" provides more detail.

What's the difference between "we were outside" and "we went outside"?

"We were outside" describes a state of being in an exterior location, whereas "we went outside" describes the action of moving from an interior to an exterior location.