we were stopped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were stopped" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a group of people was halted or prevented from moving forward, often due to an external factor. Example: "As we were driving through the city, we were stopped by a police checkpoint."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I felt it back there, when we were stopped.

The New Yorker

'During the journey we were stopped several times,' he said.

The Guardian

We were stopped again; Pastor Sidney repeated his exorcism ritual.

The New Yorker

We were stopped and couldn't get to Silje".

The Guardian

But we were stopped within like 10 minutes.

The New York Times

But "we were stopped by the Border Patrol," he offers.

The Economist

We were almost ready to kick start it and then we were stopped in our tracks".

The Guardian

At the Capitol, we were stopped by security people, who asked for our invitations.

The New Yorker

But we were stopped in our tracks by having our funding terminated.

The Guardian

In a 30 minute walk we were stopped by three different journalists.

The Guardian

The other evening we were stopped by a psychiatrist with that magnetic look in his eye.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were stopped", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what caused the stoppage. Providing this clarity will improve readability and prevent ambiguity.

Common error

While "we were stopped" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive voice can make writing sound weak. Consider whether an active construction (e.g. "The police stopped us") would be more direct and engaging. Balance passive and active voice in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were stopped" functions as a passive voice construction. It describes an action (being stopped) that was done to the subject (we) by an external force. As shown by Ludwig, this is a standard grammatical construction used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were stopped" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to describe the halting of a group's progress or movement. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's frequently found in news and media contexts. When writing, ensure clarity regarding who or what caused the stoppage, and consider whether an active voice construction might be more impactful. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, overuse of the passive voice should be avoided for stronger, more engaging writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were prevented from proceeding

Formally states that an action stopped us from continuing.

we were intercepted

Expresses a more forceful or deliberate halting, often by an opposing force.

we were brought to a halt

Similar to "we came to a standstill", but implies an external force caused the stop.

we were detained

Implies a temporary holding, often by authorities, for questioning or investigation.

we were blocked

Indicates a physical or figurative barrier prevented movement or progress.

we were held up

Suggests a delay or obstruction, often due to unforeseen circumstances or an intentional act.

our progress was impeded

Highlights that advancement was made difficult.

we were obstructed

Indicates that something blocked our progress, either physically or figuratively.

we came to a standstill

Emphasizes a complete cessation of movement.

we were checked

Suggests that our advancement was verified or scrutinized.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we were stopped" to sound more active?

Consider using an active voice construction such as "The police stopped us" or "Security stopped us". The best option depends on who or what initiated the stop.

What's the difference between "we were detained" and "we were stopped"?

"We were stopped" is a general term for being halted, while "we were detained" specifically implies a temporary holding by authorities for questioning or investigation. Detainment carries a legal connotation.

Is "we were stopped by" always necessary?

No, it's not always necessary. If the context makes it clear who or what stopped you, you can simply say "we were stopped". For example, "We were stopped at the border". If it's not clear, specifying the agent with "by" is important (e.g. "We were stopped by the police").

What are some formal alternatives to "we were stopped"?

Formal alternatives include "we were intercepted", "we were prevented from proceeding", or "we were brought to a halt". The specific choice depends on the context and the reason for being stopped.