we were recommended by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were recommended by" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when a person or group has been recommended to do something or go somewhere by someone else. For example, "We were recommended by our neighbor to try the new Italian restaurant in town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We were recommended to Yanni by his producer, George Veras, of Veras Communications in White Plains," Mr. Weir said.

The New York Times

"We chose them because they were recommended by government," a Calor Gas executive said.

The Guardian

"If a vendor is included in the book, it means that they were recommended by people we respect who thought highly of them," Ms. Franklin said, diplomatically.

The New York Times

"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

Several of those nominees were recommended by Mr. Pataki and one was recommended by Mr. Schumer.

The New York Times

A few were recommended by writers and personal friends.

The New York Times - Books

The proposals were recommended by the Silk Commission.

BBC

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

The Guardian

It is human nature to favour people we know or people who are recommended by people we know.

The Guardian

Fifty-five percent of the employees we hire at Greater Southeast are recommended by people who already work here.

Harvard Business Review

The other way, which we prefer and which is recommended by the journal, is to spell out the hypothesis first.

Biology Direct

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were recommended by", ensure the source of the recommendation is credible and relevant to build trust and authority.

Common error

While "we were recommended by" is grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider using the active voice when appropriate, such as "[Source] recommended us."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were recommended by" functions as a passive construction used to indicate that a suggestion or endorsement was received from a specific source. It highlights the source of the recommendation and places less emphasis on the actor (we). Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were recommended by" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that a suggestion or endorsement was received from a specific source. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable. It's commonly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While the phrase is useful for establishing credibility, be mindful of overusing the passive voice in your writing. Consider alternatives like "[Source] recommended us" or "we received a recommendation from [Source]" when appropriate to create stronger and more direct statements. The choice between active and passive depends on whether you want to emphasize the source of the recommendation or the recommendation itself. By understanding these nuances, you can use "we were recommended by" effectively in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we received a recommendation from

Replaces the passive voice with an active construction, emphasizing the receipt of the recommendation.

we were advised by

Focuses on the advice given, rather than a formal recommendation.

we were referred by

Highlights the act of being directed to someone or something.

we came highly suggested by

Emphasizes the strength of the recommendation.

we were endorsed by

Implies a formal approval or support.

someone suggested us via

Highlights the medium through which the suggestion came

we were pointed in the direction of

Highlights direction aspect and could replace "we were advised by".

we were given a tip about

Emphasizes the informal nature of the suggestion.

it was proposed to us by

Highlights proposition aspect and could replace "we were advised by".

on whose advice we came

Reverses the sentence structure to focus on the advisor.

FAQs

How do I use "we were recommended by" in a sentence?

Use "we were recommended by" when you want to indicate that a person or entity suggested you take a specific action or consider a particular option. For example, "We were recommended by our doctor to see a specialist".

What can I say instead of "we were recommended by"?

You can use alternatives like "we received a recommendation from", "we were advised by", or "we were referred by" depending on the context.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice with "we were recommended by"?

The choice between active and passive voice depends on the focus. Use the active voice (e.g., "Our neighbor recommended us") when you want to emphasize the recommender. Use the passive voice ("We were recommended by our neighbor") when the emphasis is on the recommendation itself or when the recommender is already known or less important.

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

"We were recommended by" implies a positive endorsement or suggestion, while "we were referred by" simply means you were directed to someone or something, without necessarily implying an endorsement. Referral indicates direction; recommendation indicates approval.