we were taught to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were taught to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to lessons or skills that were imparted to a group or individual in the past. Example: "In school, we were taught to value honesty and integrity in all our dealings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We were taught to block the ball!

The New York Times - Sports

We were taught to hate him.

The New York Times - Sports

"We were taught to treat books with reverence," Sedgwick explains.

The Guardian - Books

We were taught to enjoy it with sweet white wine.

Independent

We were taught to live within our income".

The Economist

We were taught to laugh at collections of "the wit and wisdom of Eliot".

The Guardian - Books

We were taught to cover the full stage in a leap".

The New York Times - Arts

"At the Swiss finishing school I went to, we were taught to be demure and reserved.

The Guardian - Tech

And we were taught to value everyone's contribution and treat everyone with respect.

The New Yorker

We were taught to always have goals that were larger than our own self-interests".

The New York Times

"Instead, we were taught to see all of America as open and available to us".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were taught to" when you want to emphasize the source or method of instruction, highlighting who or what influenced your understanding or skills.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive voice constructions like "we were taught to" when an active voice would be more direct and engaging. Consider rephrasing to emphasize the actors or agents of the teaching.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were taught to" functions as a clause starter introducing a statement about past learning or instruction. It indicates the reception of knowledge, skills, or values, as seen in Ludwig examples. This showcases how knowledge was given.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were taught to" is a common and grammatically correct construction used to express lessons, skills, or values learned in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide usage, primarily in news and media contexts. While versatile, writers should consider active voice alternatives for more directness. Remember to focus on clarity and context when using this phrase to effectively communicate past educational influences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we learned to

Focuses on the acquisition of knowledge or skills, rather than the instruction itself.

we were trained to

Implies a more formal or structured learning environment, often for a specific purpose.

we were instructed to

Emphasizes the direct commands or guidance received during the learning process.

we were educated to

Suggests a broader, more comprehensive form of learning, often within an academic setting.

we were schooled in

Implies a specific type of education or training, often with a traditional or formal approach.

it was instilled in us to

Highlights the deep-rooted nature of the teaching, suggesting a strong emphasis or value.

we were coached to

Implies personalized guidance and support, often in a competitive or skill-based context.

we were shown how to

Focuses on the practical demonstration and guidance received during the learning process.

we were given to understand

Suggests an indirect form of teaching, where the lesson is implied rather than explicitly stated.

we came to know

Shifts the focus to the eventual understanding or realization gained through learning or experience.

FAQs

How can I use "we were taught to" in a sentence?

The phrase "we were taught to" is used to describe something that was learned or instructed. For example, "We were taught to respect our elders" or "At school, we were taught to value education."

What is a synonym for "we were taught to"?

Alternatives to "we were taught to" include "we learned to", "we were instructed to", or "we were trained to", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "we were taught to" or "we learned to"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different emphasis. "We were taught to" highlights the instruction, while "we learned to" focuses on the acquisition of knowledge or skill.

What's the difference between "we were taught to" and "we were supposed to"?

"We were taught to" implies instruction or learning, while "we were supposed to" implies an expectation or obligation, not necessarily related to formal teaching.