we were schoolmates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were schoolmates" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a past relationship with someone you attended school with. Example: "I ran into Sarah at the coffee shop; we were schoolmates back in high school."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Very quickly, we are thrown back to 1916, when Sheilagh and Joe were schoolmates in St. John's.

The New York Times - Books

For each subject, we included a sex- and age-matched control subject, 20 of whom were schoolmates of the diabetic subjects.

Diabetes Care

But there is more to the Arnault formula than simply hiring talented managers, such as Sidney Toledano (no relation to Ralph, though they were schoolmates in Morocco) at Dior.

The Economist

Who knew that hip-hop star Snoop Dogg (now actually going by the moniker Snoop Lion) and film star Cameron Diaz were SCHOOLMATEs?

The New York Times

The extent of collaboration in Finland might have something to do with the fact that so many of the country's leading musical figures were schoolmates.

The New York Times - Magazine

The boys, Vasean Alleyne, 11, and Angel Reyes, 12, were schoolmates at the Parsons School, a magnet junior high for performing arts studies in Flushing.

The New York Times

The younger of their two sons, Randy, and I were schoolmates from first grade through graduation from high school.

Huffington Post

The plaintiff and defendant are schoolmates.

Harvard University

That winter Carr introduced Ginsberg to Kammerer and Burroughs, who had been schoolmates in St . Louisand were neighbors in Greenwich Village.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Culkin and Mr. Hirsch are schoolmates, pranksters and collaborators on a comic book whose characters are extensions of events and people in their lives.

The New York Times

The Coe brothers and Sherman had been schoolmates at James Madison University, where they were part of a fraternity for believers, and tried to model themselves after the early Christians described in the Book of Acts.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were schoolmates", ensure the context clearly establishes the time frame and level of schooling (e.g., elementary school, high school) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that being "schoolmates" automatically implies a close friendship or shared experiences. Clarify the nature of your relationship if necessary.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "we were schoolmates" is to denote a relationship between individuals who attended the same school during a shared period. It acts as a descriptor of a past connection. This is also supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were schoolmates" is a grammatically sound and straightforward way to describe a past association between individuals who attended the same school. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Although "we were schoolmates" is not currently frequent across a diverse range of sources and contexts, it remains a clear and effective means of conveying this specific relationship. Alternative phrases, like ""we were classmates"" or ""we attended school together"", may be more suitable depending on the desired nuance or level of formality. Consider clarifying the specific time frame or type of school to provide additional context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were classmates

Focuses on shared classes, implying a more direct academic connection than simply being at the same school.

we went to school together

Similar to "we attended school together" but uses a more casual tone.

we attended school together

Rephrases the relationship using a more general term for education, suitable when focusing on shared attendance rather than the specific role of schoolmates.

we were in the same class

Emphasizes a specific shared class experience, suggesting a closer academic connection.

we knew each other from school

Highlights the acquaintance formed at school, useful when emphasizing the recognition rather than the specific role.

we studied together at school

Focuses on studying together, highlighting a collaborative aspect of their school relationship.

we were students together

Generalizes the relationship to being students in the same institution, without specifying the level.

we were at school simultaneously

A more formal way to indicate that they attended the same school during the same period.

our paths crossed at school

Indicates they met or interacted due to being at the same school, without specifying the nature of their relationship.

we shared a school

Simplifies the phrase to emphasize the shared location of their education.

FAQs

What does "we were schoolmates" mean?

It means that you and another person attended the same school during the same period.

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

You can use alternatives like "we were classmates", "we went to school together", or "we attended school together" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "we were schoolmates"?

Yes, the phrase "we were schoolmates" is grammatically correct and commonly used.

How formal is the phrase "we were schoolmates"?

The phrase "we were schoolmates" is considered neutral in formality. It is suitable for both casual and slightly more formal contexts.