we were saved by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were saved by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone or something provided help or rescue in a critical moment. Example: "In the final moments of the game, we were saved by a last-minute goal from our star player."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

We were saved by these people.

The New Yorker

We were saved by inadequate counter space.

The New York Times - Travel

Ultimately, we were saved by United Nations peacekeeping soldiers.

The New York Times

We were saved by our buckled seatbelts, but one dog died.

The New Yorker

With the truck inches from going over the precipice of the cliff, we were saved by the shouts of my father.

The New York Times

"To be frank, we were saved by the fact that the Total Return fund is dominated by small institutions and the like who have a longer time horizon than others".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Someone once said that while we cheat ourselves by not going on a relaxing vacation or visiting a spa or healing retreat for a massage and steam, when we get sick it costs way beyond what we thought we were saving by not indulging.

Huffington Post

We are saved by being forgiven.

The Guardian - Opinion

We are saved by memories – including, perhaps, today, memories of Scrooge and A Christmas Carol.

The Guardian - Film

In a famous passage, Reinhold Niebuhr put it best: "Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime; therefore, we must be saved by hope.... Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone; therefore, we are saved by love.

The New York Times

The silence he inserted between paragraphs is a terrifying device, a cruel push into nowhere, from which we are saved by the next short paragraph, only to be pushed again.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were saved by" to highlight the entity that directly prevented a negative outcome, emphasizing their active role in the rescue.

Common error

Avoid using "we were saved by" when the source of rescue is indirect or the primary factor was luck rather than a specific agent's action; ensure the agent actively intervened.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were saved by" functions as a passive construction, where 'we' are the recipients of the action, and the phrase indicates the agent or cause that prevented a negative outcome. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with examples of real sentences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were saved by" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression used to indicate that a person, thing, or event rescued a group from a negative situation. Ludwig AI identifies its primary function as a passive construction expressing gratitude or acknowledgement. It is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and formal business settings. While alternative phrases like "we were rescued by" exist, "we were saved by" remains a clear and effective way to convey the act of being rescued, according to real-world examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were rescued by

Uses a direct synonym for 'saved', focusing on the act of rescue.

we were aided by

Highlights the assistance received.

we were delivered by

Implies a more profound or spiritual form of rescue.

we were helped by

A more general way of indicating assistance.

we owe our salvation to

Highlights the sense of debt or gratitude to the rescuer.

our lives were preserved by

Focuses on the act of keeping someone alive or safe.

we were spared by

Suggests escape from a negative fate or danger.

we escaped danger thanks to

Emphasizes the escape from a perilous situation and expresses gratitude.

we were protected by

Emphasizes the shielding or safeguarding aspect of the rescue.

we were fortunate because of

Shifts the focus to luck or positive circumstance as the reason for being saved.

FAQs

What does "we were saved by" mean?

The phrase "we were saved by" indicates that a person, thing, or event rescued a group from danger, harm, or a negative situation.

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

You can use alternatives like "we were rescued by", "we were helped by", or "we were delivered by", depending on the context.

Is "we were saved by" formal or informal?

The phrase "we were saved by" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding language and the specific situation.

How to use "we were saved by" in a sentence?

The phrase "we were saved by" is followed by the entity that provided the rescue. For example, "We were saved by the fire brigade" or "We were saved by a stroke of luck."