we were suspect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were suspect" is not correct in standard English usage.
It may be intended to convey that "we were suspicious" or that "we were regarded as suspects," but as it stands, it is unclear and awkward. Example: "During the investigation, we were suspect in the eyes of the authorities, but we had nothing to hide."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"But now all of the sudden we were suspect, and they didn't want us to work here anymore".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

As black men, we were suspected of being Gaddafi mercenaries trying to escape the country.

BBC

"We are suspecting that they will find same thing here.

Independent

"That's what we're suspecting," Manager Joe Torre said.

The New York Times - Sports

"They told us we are suspected of theft.

The Guardian - Music

"For example we are suspecting the driver who brought them home or anybody relating to him could have done it.

Independent

The state has unprecedented powers to monitor and analyse UK citizens' communications regardless of whether we are suspected of any criminal activity".

The Guardian

"We are suspecting that Chinese hackers have done it".

Vice

"With the cost of apartments increasing, we are suspecting we have a growth area of people who are losing their apartments and sleeping in their cars," she said.

Los Angeles Times

"Primarily, we are suspecting that he was murdered for writing against religious subjects," Biplob Kumar Sarkar, deputy police commissioner of Dhaka's Tejgaon division, told VICE News.

Vice

' The problem is that we find it hard to tell them that, we are suspecting this [ TB], you are not supposed to be with other people, sit alone.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a feeling of distrust, opt for "we were suspicious" to accurately convey that you and your group felt doubt or unease about something.

Common error

A common mistake is using "suspect" as an adjective to describe a group's state of mind. Remember, "suspect" typically functions as a noun (a person suspected of a crime) or a verb (to doubt or mistrust). Instead, use "suspicious" to describe a feeling or impression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were suspect" functions as a statement, but its grammatical correctness is disputed. Although it attempts to convey the idea of being under suspicion, the use of "suspect" as an adjective in this context is not standard English. Ludwig AI indicates that is not correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "we were suspect" may appear in some contexts, it's essential to recognize its grammatical incorrectness. As Ludwig AI indicates, standard English prefers alternatives like "we were suspected" or "we were suspicious". The phrase attempts to communicate that a group was under suspicion, but its non-standard usage can lead to confusion. When aiming for clarity and grammatical accuracy, opt for the recommended alternatives, especially in formal writing. News and media outlets occasionally use it, but adopting correct phrasing ensures better communication and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were suspicious

This alternative replaces the noun 'suspect' with the adjective 'suspicious', indicating a feeling of distrust or doubt.

we were regarded as suspects

This alternative clarifies that others viewed 'us' as potential suspects in an investigation or situation.

we were considered potential suspects

This explicitly states that 'we' were being considered as individuals who might be involved in wrongdoing.

we were under suspicion

This phrase directly states that 'we' were the subject of suspicion, without specifying who held the suspicion.

we were treated as suspects

This highlights the treatment 'we' received, implying that others acted as if 'we' were guilty.

suspicion fell on us

This emphasizes the act of suspicion being directed toward 'us' from an external source.

we came under scrutiny

This suggests that 'we' were being carefully examined or investigated, not necessarily for a crime, but potentially for errors or misconduct.

we faced suspicion

This emphasizes the direct confrontation with suspicion, suggesting that 'we' had to deal with others' doubts or mistrust.

we aroused suspicion

This implies that 'our' actions or behavior caused others to become suspicious of 'us'.

we looked suspicious

This focuses on the appearance or impression 'we' gave off that made others suspicious.

FAQs

Is "we were suspect" grammatically correct?

No, "we were suspect" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing would be "we were "we were suspected"" or "we were regarded as suspects".

What does "we were suspect" mean, and why is it considered incorrect?

The intended meaning is that the group was under suspicion. However, "suspect" functions as a noun or verb, not an adjective to describe a state of being. Therefore, it's more accurate to say "we were "we were suspicious"" (if describing your own feelings) or "we were "we were suspected"" (if others suspected you).

What are some alternatives to "we were suspect" that are grammatically sound?

Grammatically sound alternatives include "we were "we were suspicious"", "we were "we were suspected"", "we were regarded as suspects", or "suspicion fell on us".

How does the meaning change when using "we were suspicious" instead of "we were suspect"?

"We were "we were suspicious"" means that you and your group felt doubt or distrust towards something or someone. "We were suspect" (while incorrect) is generally intended to convey that others regarded you as suspects. To accurately express that, use "we were "we were suspected"".