we were overwhelmed

USAGE SUMMARY

"we were overwhelmed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe feeling overwhelmed by a task, situation, or emotion. For example, "We were overwhelmed when we realized how much work was involved in preparing for the festival."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sports

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In Romania, we were overwhelmed.

The Guardian - Film

We were overwhelmed by the production.

The Guardian

Even so, we were overwhelmed by the welcome.

The New York Times - Travel

Coming down, we were overwhelmed with a richness of scenery.

The New York Times - Magazine

We were overwhelmed by social problems like suicide and alcoholism.

The New York Times - Arts

If we were overwhelmed, we'd have to consider it.

The New York Times - Sports

"Frankly we were overwhelmed when we first opened.

The New York Times - Arts

It was an uphill battle, and we were overwhelmed.

The New York Times - Sports

After a great deal of back and forth about casual flatware, we were overwhelmed.

The New York Times

"We were overwhelmed," said Melissa Braun, senior casting associate at Grant Wilfley.

The New York Times

We were overwhelmed by the impact of our surveys of Beethoven, Bach, Webern and Wagner.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were overwhelmed" to express a strong emotional or sensory experience, whether positive or negative. Be specific about what caused the feeling to give the sentence more impact.

Common error

Avoid using "we were overwhelmed" when a milder term like "surprised" or "impressed" would be more appropriate. Overuse can dilute the impact of the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were overwhelmed" functions as a declarative statement expressing a state of being. It describes the experience of being overcome by something, whether it's a feeling, a situation, or an event. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

The Guardian

10%

The New York Times

10%

Less common in

HuffPost

3%

Vice

3%

BBC

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were overwhelmed" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a feeling of being overcome by something. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility, showing usage across various contexts from news reports to personal narratives. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the intensity of the experience you're describing, and be specific about what caused you to feel overwhelmed. While highly prevalent in News & Media, remember that less intense alternatives might be better choices depending on the register and context of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were inundated

This alternative suggests being flooded or overwhelmed with a large quantity of something, similar to being overwhelmed.

we were overcome

Focuses on the feeling of being emotionally or physically affected strongly, akin to being overwhelmed by emotions or events.

we were overpowered

Suggests being subdued or defeated by something, similar to being overwhelmed by a stronger force or situation.

we were swept away

Implies being carried away by a powerful force or emotion, akin to being overwhelmed by enthusiasm or excitement.

we were deeply affected

Highlights the profound impact something had on someone, similar to the emotional aspect of being overwhelmed.

we were greatly moved

Focuses on the emotional response of being touched or affected deeply, similar to being overwhelmed by emotion.

we were astonished

This alternative emphasizes the surprise and amazement experienced, similar to being overwhelmed by something unexpected.

we were astounded

Implies being struck with sudden and great surprise or wonder, close to the feeling of being overwhelmed by something impressive.

we were taken aback

Highlights the surprise and shock experienced, similar to being overwhelmed by something unexpected or startling.

we were staggered

Suggests being shocked or astonished, close to the feeling of being overwhelmed by something significant or unexpected.

FAQs

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

You can use "we were overwhelmed" to describe a situation where you felt overcome by emotions, tasks, or sensory input. For example, "We were overwhelmed by the beauty of the landscape" or "We were overwhelmed with work after the holidays".

What are some alternatives to "we were overwhelmed"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "we were inundated", "we were overcome", or "we were astounded".

Is it correct to say "we were overwhelmed by" something?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The preposition "by" is commonly used after "overwhelmed" to indicate the cause or source of the feeling. For example, "We were overwhelmed by the support".

What is the difference between "we were overwhelmed" and "we were impressed"?

"We were overwhelmed" suggests a stronger emotional or sensory impact, often to the point of feeling overcome. "We were impressed" indicates admiration or respect, but not necessarily a feeling of being overcome. Use "we were impressed" when you want to express admiration without the implication of being intensely affected.