we were relieved

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "we were relieved" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that you or someone else felt a sense of relief after something unpleasant or worrying was over. For example, "After the exams finished, we were relieved to be able to relax".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Personal Experiences

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

We were relieved, then elated.

The New York Times

We were relieved to find a Dutch couple waiting there.

The Guardian - Travel

Once Israel withdrew from southern Lebanon, we were relieved.

The New York Times

We were relieved that it was not sweet.

The New York Times

We were relieved when that was what happened.

The New York Times

We were relieved to get off the bus until we realised that it was -3C outside.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

We are relieved.

The New York Times

We're relieved".

The New York Times

"We're relieved," Owen Faughey said.

The New York Times

We are relieved by this.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"We're relieved," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were relieved" to express a shared feeling of ease after a period of anxiety or stress. Ensure the context clearly indicates what caused the initial worry.

Common error

Avoid using "we were relieved" when the situation doesn't warrant a significant sense of worry beforehand. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing seem melodramatic. Instead, consider alternatives like "we were pleased" or "we were glad" for less intense situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were relieved" functions as a statement expressing a feeling of relief experienced by a group of people. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common and grammatically sound way to convey this sentiment. Examples show it used in various narrative and descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Travel

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were relieved" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey a sense of relief after a period of worry or stress. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in news and media, travel narratives, and personal experiences. While versatile, it's important to ensure that its usage aligns with the intensity of the situation and to avoid overuse. Alternatives like "we felt a sense of relief" or "it was a relief to us" can be used to add nuance or variety to your writing. It is most authoritative sources for this phrase are The New York Times, The Guardian, HuffPost, The New Yorker, and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we felt a sense of relief

Replaces the verb "were" with "felt" and adds "a sense of" for emphasis.

we breathed a sigh of relief

Uses a more figurative expression to indicate the feeling of relief.

it was a relief to us

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize the relief itself.

we were thankful it was over

Focuses on gratitude that a difficult situation has ended.

we were glad it was done

Similar to thankful, but emphasizes the completion of a task or event.

we felt reassured

Highlights the feeling of confidence and comfort after a worry.

we were comforted

Focuses on the feeling of being consoled and eased from distress.

we experienced a wave of relief

Emphasizes the sudden and intense feeling of relief.

our worries subsided

Shifts the focus to the diminishing of worries rather than the feeling of relief.

a weight was lifted from our shoulders

A more metaphorical expression indicating the removal of a burden.

FAQs

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

Use "we were relieved" to express a feeling of comfort and ease after a period of worry or stress. For example, "After the surgery, "we were relieved" to hear that it was successful."

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

You can use alternatives like "we felt a sense of relief", "we breathed a sigh of relief", or "it was a relief to us" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify the cause of the relief when using "we were relieved"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the cause of the relief provides context and makes the sentence more meaningful. Omitting it can sometimes leave the reader wondering why there was a feeling of relief in the first place.

What's the difference between "we were relieved" and "we were happy"?

"We were relieved" implies a prior state of worry or anxiety that has now been alleviated. "We were happy" is a more general expression of joy or contentment without necessarily implying a prior negative state. Therefore, "we were happy" is a more general expression of joy or contentment.