we were suggested

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were suggested" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you're referring to being offered advice or an idea from someone else. For example, "My parents suggested that we take a vacation to the beach this summer, and we were suggested to visit the aquarium nearby."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"The special education faculty at the elementary school where we were suggested we go out of district," she said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

So we were suggesting collaborations.

The Guardian - Music

"We did not believe the numbers we were suggesting were in any way inappropriate," Mr. Gillett said.

The New York Times

Rather, we were suggesting a specific mechanism to explain the observed effect.

eLife

We're suggesting that everyone be able to participate equally".

The New York Times

"We're suggesting that everyone be as cautious as possible".

The New York Times

We're suggesting a new process for public service commissioning.

The Guardian

Now we're suggesting 20percentt versus 18percentt for the index.

The New York Times

This does not, however, mean we are suggesting cuts.

The Guardian

We're suggesting that you call attention to more of these moments.

Yale University

"The things we are suggesting are very civilized," Mr. Yilmaz said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were suggested", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the suggesting to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "we was suggested", as the correct form requires the plural "were" to agree with the subject "we".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were suggested" functions as a passive voice construction. It indicates that the subject ("we") received a suggestion or recommendation, with the source of the suggestion often being implicit or less emphasized. This is supported by Ludwig's analysis of common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were suggested" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that indicates the receipt of a suggestion or recommendation. Ludwig's analysis and examples highlight its common occurrence in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts. While it's a versatile phrase, consider using active voice alternatives for directness or formal synonyms like "we were advised" for professional settings. Remember to maintain subject-verb agreement and ensure clarity regarding the source of the suggestion. This will improve clarity and effectiveness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we received a suggestion

Replaces the passive voice with an active construction, emphasizing the receipt of the suggestion.

we were advised

Indicates a formal recommendation or guidance.

it was recommended to us

Emphasizes the recommendation itself rather than the action of suggesting.

we were prompted

Suggests a more direct or forceful encouragement.

we were guided

Implies a more involved process of direction or assistance.

we were encouraged

Highlights the supportive nature of the suggestion.

we got a hint

Suggests a more subtle or indirect suggestion.

it was proposed to us

Indicates a formal proposition or idea.

we were pointed towards

Implies direction toward a specific option or solution.

we were given the idea

Emphasizes the act of receiving a new concept or thought.

FAQs

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

Use "we were suggested" when indicating that someone or something advised or recommended a course of action or idea. For example, "We were suggested to visit the museum by the hotel concierge."

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

A more formal alternative could be "we were advised". This implies a professional or authoritative recommendation.

Is it better to use an active or passive voice when describing a suggestion?

Using an active voice, such as "they suggested", can be more direct and clear, but using a passive voice, like "we were suggested", can be useful when the source of the suggestion is less important than the suggestion itself.

What are some synonyms for "we were suggested"?

Synonyms include "we received a suggestion", "it was recommended to us", and "we were prompted", each carrying slightly different connotations.