we were recommended

USAGE SUMMARY

"We were recommended" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that someone advised you to do or recommended to you. For example: "We were recommended to try the new sushi restaurant downtown for dinner tonight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Children's Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

We were recommended yours children's site by older children who belong to your site already.

The Guardian

Then we were recommended for resettlement in America; so there was an interview with American representatives.

The Guardian - Opinion

We were recommended this family-run vineyard and winery by the fine sommelier at Elderberry House and were not disappointed.

The Guardian - Travel

"We were recommended a builder by a family friend, who in turn suggested we use Howdens because he said he'd be able to get us a good trade discount," Hussein says.

The Guardian - Money

At the start of my PhD, I took a class in composition in which we were recommended, in everything we wrote, to "tell 'em what you're going to tell 'em; tell 'em; then tell 'em what you told 'em".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But as the targets are removed and excellence moves up the agenda, so we are recommended for a 100 per cent cut that will close us.

Independent

"We're recommending it in our newsletter".

The New York Times - Books

What we are recommending here is a step down.

The Guardian

"It's not like we're recommending it".

The Guardian - Arts

"We're recommending them to Off Broadway," Mr. Domenick said.

The New York Times

We are recommending Gap Inc. as a recovery story.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the context of the recommendation is clear. What were you recommended to do or try?

Common error

Avoid using "we were recommended" without specifying who provided the recommendation. This can make the statement vague and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were recommended" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject (we) received a recommendation. As shown in Ludwig, this usage aligns with standard English grammar.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Travel

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were recommended" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that a recommendation was received. Ludwig AI confirms this, offering various examples of its use in reputable sources. While "we were recommended" is appropriate for conveying information in neutral to formal settings, the phrase is most commonly found in "News & Media" and "Travel" contexts, as well as other Science related categories. To ensure clarity, it's helpful to specify the source of the recommendation. Alternative phrases, such as "we were advised to", offer similar meanings with subtle variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we received a recommendation

Replaces the passive voice with an active construction focusing on the receipt of a recommendation.

we were advised to

Substitutes "recommended" with "advised", indicating guidance was provided.

it was suggested to us

Emphasizes the suggestion aspect, shifting the focus slightly from the recommendation itself.

someone suggested us

Uses a slightly less formal and more direct way of saying someone gave a recommendation.

we got a tip about

Replaces "recommendation" with "tip", implying a more informal suggestion.

we found out about

Focuses on the discovery aspect through a recommendation, rather than the recommendation itself.

we were guided towards

Emphasizes direction and guidance as a result of a recommendation.

we were pointed to

Implies someone directed our attention towards something specific.

we learned of through a recommendation

Highlights the learning or discovery aspect facilitated by the recommendation.

someone told us to

Simplifies the phrase to indicate being told something, removing the implication of formal recommendation.

FAQs

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

You can use "we were recommended" to indicate that someone suggested something to you, for example, "We were recommended this restaurant by a friend."

What is a synonym for "we were recommended"?

A synonym for "we were recommended" is "we were advised to", which also means someone suggested something to you.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "recommend"?

Using the active voice, such as "Someone recommended..." is often more direct. However, "we were recommended" is appropriate when the source of the recommendation is less important than the recommendation itself.

What's the difference between "we were recommended" and "we were advised"?

"We were recommended" typically implies a positive endorsement, while "we were advised" is a more general term for guidance or counsel.