we were then

USAGE SUMMARY

"we were then" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase typically implies that something happened previously, and it can be used in the past, present, and future tenses. For example, "We were then in the fifth grade, and now we're graduating from college."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We were then certain of victory.

The Guardian - Books

50 We were, then we weren't.

The Guardian

"But we were never as close as we were then".

The New York Times

We're in a worse state than we were then.

The Guardian

For the angry youths we were then, it meant capitulation.

The Guardian

"We're worse off than we were then," she said.

The New Yorker

We're just not the same team we were then".

The New York Times - Sports

[Laughter] We were then on good terms with Egypt.

The Guardian - Film

Are we so much more shaken than we were then?

The New Yorker

We're a better side than we were then.

The Guardian - Sport

No, that's not it, we were then told.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were then" to clearly establish a past state or situation as a reference point before introducing a change or contrast. This helps to provide context and highlight the evolution of events or conditions.

Common error

Avoid using "we were then" in contexts where the past perfect tense is more appropriate. Ensure the action or state indicated by "we were then" precedes another action described in the past simple.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were then" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb or clause by specifying a particular time in the past. It establishes a temporal context for the action or state being described. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were then" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to establish a past state or condition, often in contrast to the present. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is widely accepted and utilized in various forms of English writing. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, particularly in news media, science, and formal business settings. When using "we were then", ensure clarity in establishing a temporal reference point and avoid tense inconsistencies. Consider alternative phrases like "at that time we were" or "back then we were" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at that point we were

Emphasizes a specific moment in the past when "we" were in a certain state.

back then we were

Highlights a time in the past, suggesting a contrast with the present.

we were at that time

Focuses on the temporal aspect, indicating a specific period in the past.

in those days we were

Implies a more distant past, often with nostalgic or historical connotations.

we used to be

Indicates a past state or condition that is no longer true.

previously we were

Formally indicates a state prior to the current one.

we had been

Highlights a state of being that existed for a period before a specific point in the past.

we were formerly

Indicates a previous identity or role.

prior to that we were

Emphasizes the sequence of events, indicating what came before.

at the time we were

Similar to "at that point", but slightly more general.

FAQs

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

"We were then" is used to describe a state or situation at a specific time in the past. For example, "We were then students, but now we are professionals."

What phrases are similar to "we were then"?

Similar phrases include "at that time we were", "back then we were", or "previously we were". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "we was then" instead of "we were then"?

No, "we was then" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form of the past tense of "to be" for the plural pronoun "we" is "were". Therefore, "we were then" is the only grammatically correct option.

How does the meaning of "we were then" differ from "we are now"?

"We were then" refers to a past state, while "we are now" refers to the present. Using both phrases in conjunction can emphasize a change or transformation over time. For example, "We were then novices, but now "we are now experts"."