we were proud of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were proud of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a sense of pride or satisfaction regarding a person, achievement, or situation in the past. Example: "After completing the project successfully, we were proud of the hard work and dedication our team put in."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were proud of this.

The New Yorker

We were proud of ourselves.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We were proud of that: perfect planning.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Billy, Norman … We were proud of ourselves.

The Guardian - Sport

"We were proud of that ad," said Mr. McCambley.

The New York Times

We were proud of her and will miss her.

The New York Times

But we were proud of what we did.

The New York Times

Finishing above St John's and Notre Dame is something we were proud of," he said.

Princeton University

We were proud of the Bengali tradition of secularism, unique to the Indian Subcontinent.

The New York Times

And not just because we tapped into our entrepreneurial initiative, which we were proud of.

Harvard Business Review

We were proud of the battalion, which became part of Iraq's first independent brigade.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were proud of", ensure the subject of pride is clearly defined and directly related to the accomplishment or attribute being highlighted.

Common error

Avoid using "we were proud of" when the accomplishment is ethically questionable or could be perceived negatively by others. Ensure the context aligns with genuine pride and positive values.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were proud of" functions as an expression of collective satisfaction or admiration. Based on Ludwig AI, it indicates a positive emotional response to a specific achievement, attribute, or person in the past. It serves to convey a sense of accomplishment or approval.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

9%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

9%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were proud of" is a common and grammatically sound way to express collective satisfaction or admiration for something in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and prevalence in various contexts, especially news and media. While the phrase is versatile, it's essential to ensure the context aligns with positive values and ethical considerations. Alternatives like "we took pride in" or "we felt a sense of accomplishment" can offer nuanced expressions of satisfaction. Be sure the accomplishment is ethically sound to avoid misinterpretations. The phrase is neutral in register and widely understood, making it suitable for many communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we took pride in

Changes the verb from 'were' to 'took', emphasizing the act of feeling proud.

we felt a sense of accomplishment

Replaces the specific emotion of pride with a general feeling of achievement.

we felt a real sense of achievement

Similar to 'we felt a sense of accomplishment' but with 'real' added for emphasis.

we were pleased with

Replaces 'proud' with 'pleased', suggesting a lighter sense of gratification.

we were satisfied with

Substitutes 'proud' with 'satisfied', indicating contentment rather than overt pride.

we felt gratified by

Emphasizes the feeling of being rewarded or appreciated for something.

we thought highly of

Indicates a positive opinion and respect for something or someone.

we esteemed

Uses a more formal verb to express high regard and respect.

we celebrated

Focuses on the act of recognition and joy in achievement.

it was our pride and joy

Changes the sentence structure to highlight something as a source of great pride.

FAQs

How can I use "we were proud of" in a sentence?

Use "we were proud of" to express satisfaction with a past achievement or attribute. For example, "We were proud of the team's dedication to the project".

What are some alternatives to saying "we were proud of"?

Alternatives include "we took pride in", "we felt a sense of accomplishment", or "we were pleased with", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "we were proud of ourselves"?

Yes, "we were proud of ourselves" is grammatically correct and expresses self-satisfaction with a collective achievement or behavior.

What's the difference between "we were proud of" and "we are proud of"?

"We were proud of" refers to a past feeling, while "we are proud of" expresses a current feeling. Use "we are proud of" to express pride at the present moment.