we were so upset

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were so upset" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express strong feelings of sadness or disappointment about a particular situation or event. Example: "When we heard the news, we were so upset that we couldn't focus on anything else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

We were so upset.

The Guardian

"We were so upset," Mrs. Williamson said.

The New York Times

"We were so upset she would give up her family, her friends, her job to move to L.A.

The New York Times

"We realized we rushed in because we were so upset about the other one falling through," Mr. Walz said.

The New York Times

What was it like when you came so close and lost in Game 7? A. We were so upset and disappointed; it was a matter of one goal.

The New York Times

"We were so upset we had to practice on Christmas, we had to take it out on the Browns," said Larry Foote after the victory.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Mrs Drysdale, known to friends as Etta, said: "We are so upset by all this.

The Guardian

"We're so upset right now with everything because we have been asking the school system for help," she said.

The New York Times

"We are so upset, the family came here thinking they had got away from danger, now they are gone.

Independent

"If we are so upset about Baucus, then perhaps there ought to be a better standard for how someone becomes a United States attorney more generally," Ms. Sloan said.

The New York Times

That is why we are so upset that the government have come back with this proposal, reneging as far as we are concerned on a tacit understanding that voting for 28 days would finish the debate on this issue for this parliament.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were so upset" to express immediate and strong negative feelings about an event or situation. It's suitable when conveying a sense of personal disappointment, anger, or sadness.

Common error

While "we were so upset" is perfectly acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "we were deeply disappointed" or "we were extremely concerned" in professional or academic writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were so upset" functions as a declarative statement expressing a feeling of strong disappointment or sadness. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and usable in written English. Examples show it used to communicate reactions to negative events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were so upset" is a grammatically sound and commonly understood way to express strong feelings of disappointment, sadness, or anger. According to Ludwig AI, it's appropriate for conveying personal emotional responses, particularly in news or media contexts. While versatile, it may be beneficial to consider more formal alternatives like "we were deeply disappointed" in professional settings. Remember to use it to express genuine emotion but be aware of the context to avoid over-exaggeration or informality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we felt extremely disappointed

Replaces "upset" with a more formal and precise term, focusing on the feeling of disappointment.

we were deeply saddened

Shifts the emphasis to sadness rather than anger or frustration.

we were very frustrated

Highlights the feeling of frustration caused by the situation.

we were incredibly let down

Emphasizes the feeling of being let down by expectations not being met.

we were really disheartened

Focuses on the loss of hope and enthusiasm.

we couldn't believe how badly it went

Expresses disbelief and negative feelings about an outcome.

we were aggrieved by the situation

Conveys a sense of being wronged or unjustly treated.

we were in low spirits

Describes a state of sadness or unhappiness.

we were not happy with the result

A more understated way of expressing dissatisfaction.

we took it hard

Informal expression meaning that the event caused considerable distress.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "we were so upset"?

You can use alternatives like "we felt extremely disappointed", "we were deeply saddened", or "we were very frustrated" depending on the context.

Is "we were so upset" too informal for professional writing?

While understandable, "we were so upset" may be perceived as informal. Consider using more formal phrases like "we were deeply concerned" or "we experienced considerable disappointment" in professional contexts.

How do I emphasize the intensity of my feelings when using "we were so upset"?

To emphasize intensity, you can add adverbs like "incredibly", "utterly", or "absolutely". For example, "we were absolutely so upset" conveys a stronger emotion. However, be mindful of the context and avoid exaggeration.

What's the difference between "we were upset" and "we were so upset"?

The addition of "so" intensifies the feeling. "We were upset" expresses a general feeling of disappointment or sadness, whereas "we were so upset" indicates a stronger, more significant emotional reaction.