we were overworked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were overworked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where individuals had too much work or too many responsibilities, leading to exhaustion or stress. Example: "During the busy season, we were overworked and struggled to meet deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"We were overworked, underslept.

The New York Times

"We were overworked and overpaid," Lee said in 1998 in USA Today, and "got tired and fell apart".

Los Angeles Times

But these jobs--where we were overworked and underpaid--often teach us a lot more than we realized at the time.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The hope was that he'd answer if you called him, but usually his wife, Liana, picked up and that would usually mean some sort of harangue from her about how poorly we were paying Burgess or how hard we were overworking him, and never mind that all this had been agreed with his agent.

The Guardian - Books

"We're underpaid, and we're overworked".

The New York Times

We're overworked and under appreciated.

The Guardian

Levin: Obviously we are overworked adults.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We are overworked but we give them all the service we are able," says Sam. "Those we are not able, we refer them to Soroti".

The Guardian

"We are overworked, we do the work that should be done by many more people," said Lukasz, an employee on the night shift at a Lidl warehouse who did not want to give his surname.

The Guardian - Business

We're overworked, stressed, have terrible breath, and just can't seem to find enough hours in the day to better manage our personal relationships.

TechCrunch

"We're overworked, morale is low, there are furloughs and there are pay cuts.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "we were overworked" with information about the consequences, such as decreased productivity, burnout, or errors. This adds weight to your statement and highlights the importance of addressing the issue.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "we were overworked" without providing any details. This statement lacks impact and fails to convey the specific challenges and consequences of the situation. Instead, specify the type of work, the timeframe, and the effects of the overwork.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were overworked" functions as a declarative statement describing a past condition. It indicates that a group of individuals experienced a state of excessive workload. According to Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were overworked" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood way to describe a situation where a group of people experienced an excessive workload. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not particularly formal, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. To enhance clarity, consider providing specific details about the work and its consequences. Alternatives like "we were stretched thin" or "we were overloaded" can offer nuanced variations depending on the specific context you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were stretched thin

This alternative focuses on the feeling of being inadequately staffed or resourced to handle the workload.

we were overloaded

This phrase emphasizes the excessive amount of work, implying that the workload exceeded capacity.

we were swamped with work

This alternative uses a more vivid image to convey the feeling of being overwhelmed by tasks.

we were snowed under

Similar to "swamped", this idiom suggests being buried under a large amount of work.

we had too much on our plate

This idiom expresses that we were handling more responsibilities than we could manage effectively.

we were working to capacity

This alternative highlights that we were working at the absolute limit of our abilities or resources.

our workload was excessive

This phrase is more formal and directly states that the amount of work was beyond reasonable limits.

we were operating understaffed

This focuses on the lack of personnel as the reason for the heavy workload.

we were pushed to our limits

This alternative expresses that the workload tested our endurance and capabilities.

we were running ragged

This idiom suggests a state of exhaustion and disorganization due to overwork.

FAQs

What does "we were overworked" mean?

The phrase "we were overworked" means that a group of people had excessive workloads or responsibilities, leading to exhaustion or stress.

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

You can use alternatives like "we were stretched thin", "we were overloaded", or "we were swamped with work" depending on the context.

Is "we were overworked" a formal or informal expression?

"We were overworked" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might opt for a more precise or clinical term, such as "our workload was excessive".

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

You can use "we were overworked" to describe a past situation where you and others had too much work. For example: "During the project's final phase, we were overworked and struggled to meet deadlines."