we were served

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were served" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is receiving food, drinks, or legal documents, among other things. Example: "At the restaurant, we were served our meals promptly after ordering."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

I think we were served cake, too!

The Guardian

We were served by a barmaid wearing only lingerie.

The New York Times

We never got to any shows; they were over by the time we were served.

The New York Times

Previously, we were served by a traditional, well-established paper, the Herts and Essex Observer.

The Guardian

What we were served on the beach wasn't street food, exactly, because there wasn't any street.

The New York Times - Travel

We were served complimentary fried zucchini and a bowl of chick-pea salad one night.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

We were served skillets of food so hot they would've seared our flesh if we touched them.

Vice

Our drinks order was ignored and we were served the strongest margaritas we'd ever tasted.

The Guardian - Travel

We were served by people who smiled at us and treated us like a human beings.

The Guardian - Opinion

We were served by black waiters and waitresses.

Princeton University

We were served plentiful wine and beer.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were served", ensure the context clearly indicates what was served, whether it's food, drinks, documents, or something else. Clarity prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "we were served" when you mean "we served". The passive voice shifts the focus to the recipient of the action, not the actor. Ensure your sentence reflects this intended emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were served" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject (we) received something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically correct and commonly used. The examples show the phrase used to describe receiving food, drinks, legal documents, and even experiences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were served" is a grammatically sound and very common passive voice construction used to describe the act of receiving something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in news and media, but also appears in academic and formal contexts. When using the phrase, ensure clarity about what was served and consider alternatives like "we received" for broader applications or "we were provided with" for a more formal tone. Avoid confusing it with the active voice "we served". Overall, the phrase is versatile and effective when used correctly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we received

Focuses on the act of getting something, broader than just being served food or drinks.

we were given

Emphasizes the act of someone providing something to us.

we were provided with

More formal and emphasizes the act of providing.

we were treated to

Indicates a special or enjoyable offering.

we obtained

Suggests a more active role in acquiring something, implying effort or process.

food was served to us

Rephrases to emphasize that the food service was made especially for the persons.

we were presented with

Highlights a formal or ceremonial offering.

we enjoyed

Focuses on the positive experience of receiving or consuming something.

we experienced

Shifts the focus to the overall experience rather than just the act of serving.

we partook of

A more formal or literary way of saying we consumed or participated in something.

FAQs

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

Use "we were served" to indicate that you and others received something, typically food or drink, but also information or documents. For example, "We were served dinner promptly" or "We were served with a subpoena".

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

For a more formal tone, you could use "we were provided with". This phrasing emphasizes the act of being given something in a professional or official context.

Is it correct to say "we were served by"?

Yes, "we were served by" is correct when indicating who provided the service. For instance, "We were served by a very attentive waiter" specifies the person who provided the service.

What's the difference between "we were served" and "we served"?

"We were served" indicates that you received something, while "we served" means you provided something. The first uses passive voice, the second active. Be mindful of who is performing the action.