we were said

USAGE SUMMARY

'we were said' is not a correct or usable phrase in written English.
You would usually use the verb 'say', such as 'We were said to leave the room' or 'We were told to leave the room.'.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

"He was more Russian than we were," said Vlasenko.

The Economist

"We've invested well and are certainly in a better position than we were," said Hughes.

Independent

"It's a step back from where we were," said Richard Blumenthal, the Connecticut attorney general.

The New York Times

"We got sick of where we were," said Reyes, who had an interception in his second straight game.

The New York Times - Sports

"No one had a clue who we were," said Mr. Phillips, 34, who was one of the group.

The New York Times

"But in terms of occupancy rates, we are already back where we were," said Mr. DeCocinis, of Ritz-Carlton.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

As we were saying.

The New Yorker

"We were saying, 'That's it.

The New York Times

As we were saying: Lame.

Huffington Post

So, as we were saying.

Vice

"Here we are," said Mr. Hunter.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "we were said" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and grammatically correct alternatives such as "we were told" or "it was said to us".

Common error

Using "we were said" often results from a misunderstanding of passive voice. Remember that 'say' typically needs a direct object; thus, rephrasing with verbs like 'told' or restructuring the sentence is necessary to avoid grammatical errors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were said" is typically intended to function as a passive construction, aiming to indicate that information or a statement was directed towards the group. However, the structure is grammatically flawed and requires revision for clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were said" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in English. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's best to use clearer alternatives such as "we were told", "it was said to us", or "we were informed". While the intention is often to convey information received by a group, the incorrect phrasing obscures this purpose. The examples found by Ludwig, primarily from news sources, demonstrate the attempted usage but also highlight the need for grammatical correction. Therefore, avoid using "we were said" in your writing to ensure clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were told

Replaces 'said' with 'told', indicating information received from someone.

we were informed

Uses 'informed' instead of 'said', suggesting a formal communication.

we were advised

Indicates guidance or recommendations were given.

it was said to us

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize the statement made to the group.

it was conveyed to us

Emphasizes the act of conveying information to the group.

we heard it said

Highlights the act of hearing the statement from an unspecified source.

we understood that

Shifts the focus to understanding rather than a direct statement.

we gathered that

Implies an indirect understanding based on available information.

we were under the impression

Suggests a belief or assumption the group held.

the word was that we should

Presents the information as a rumor or widespread belief.

FAQs

How can I correctly use a phrase similar to "we were said"?

Instead of "we were said", use phrases like "we were told", "it was said to us", or "we were informed" for clarity and grammatical correctness.

What's a more formal alternative to "we were said"?

For a formal tone, consider "we were advised" or "it was conveyed to us". These options provide a clearer and more professional way to express the idea.

Is "we were said" grammatically correct?

No, "we were said" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. English usage favors alternatives like "we were told" or "it was said to us".

What does "we were said" incorrectly imply?

The phrase "we were said" doesn't clearly convey who did the saying or what was said. Using a more precise phrase like "we were told" clarifies that someone communicated information to the group.