we were signed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were signed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are referring to a group of people who have been officially signed or contracted, such as in sports, music, or legal agreements. Example: "After months of negotiations, we were signed by the record label, and we couldn't be more excited about our future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

We were signed to Columbia, whose studios were union-controlled with regular breaks and everything.

The Guardian - Music

When we first started out, we were signed to an indie label.

The Guardian - Music

The Russian members of the staff (I think) assumed that we were signed by the coach and were his responsibility.

The New York Times

"People just heard we were signed to Roc Nation and they put two and two together, even though we never had anything in the pipeline," White explained.

The Guardian - Music

I would have absolutely settled for being a great songwriter, but they gave me some of Bernie's lyrics and we teamed up and it turned out that we were absolutely terrible at writing songs for Cilla Black and Tom Jones, which is what we were signed to do, so they told us to make our own records.

The Guardian - Music

We were signed to both RCA and Warner Bros, and we made two different albums.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

We didn't know it was going to come off till we were signing".

Independent

And the next day it was wrote as if we were signing him.

The Guardian - Sport

"In August we were signing up for an adoption workshop," he recalls darkly.

The New York Times - Magazine

"None of us really realised what we were signing up to," he said.

The Guardian

"At the end of the game, we were signing autographs and they were saying, 'Thank you,' " Hamm said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were signed" when emphasizing the official agreement or contract that brought your group or team into an organization. This phrasing is especially suitable when describing the start of a professional relationship.

Common error

Avoid using the active voice when the passive construction more accurately reflects the situation. For instance, instead of saying "The label signed us," use "we were signed by the label" to focus on your group's experience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were signed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a group or entity has been the recipient of an action, namely, being signed or contracted by another party. Ludwig AI confirms this through its analysis of numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were signed" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that a group or team has entered into an official agreement with an organization. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts. When writing, remember to use this phrase when you want to emphasize the group's new status or achievement, rather than the action of signing the contract itself. Be mindful of the active voice alternative, but choose the passive voice when it accurately reflects the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were contracted

Focuses on the contractual aspect of the agreement.

we were recruited

Emphasizes the active seeking and selection process.

we were enlisted

Suggests a more formal or structured joining process, often in the military or a similar organization.

we were hired

Highlights the employment aspect of the agreement.

we were taken on

A more informal way of saying "we were hired".

we joined the team

Focuses on becoming part of a group or organization.

we became members

Highlights the act of becoming a member of an organization.

we affiliated with

Suggests a formal association or connection.

we partnered with

Highlights a collaborative relationship.

we allied with

Suggests a union for a specific purpose or goal.

FAQs

What does "we were signed" mean?

The phrase "we were signed" indicates that a group or team has entered into an official agreement, typically a contract, with an organization or company. This often occurs in the music industry, sports, or other professional fields.

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

You can use alternatives like "we were contracted", "we were recruited", or "we were hired" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "we were signed to"?

Yes, it is correct to say "we were signed to" followed by the name of the organization or company you are now affiliated with. For example, "We were signed to Columbia Records."

What's the difference between "we were signed" and "we signed a contract"?

"We were signed" focuses on the result of the agreement and the group's new status. "We signed a contract" emphasizes the action of entering into the agreement. The choice depends on which aspect you want to highlight.