we were troubled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were troubled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express feelings of concern, distress, or worry about a situation or event. Example: "After hearing the news about the layoffs, we were troubled and unsure of what the future held for our team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

But we were troubled by disproportionate disqualification penalties for small breaches of the rules".

The New York Times

"Let's just stop and think about — for anybody who had problems with Barack Obama — what we were troubled by.

The Washington Post

Although they were showing us videos of Shia militias killing Sunni people, we were troubled when we attended real executions.

Independent

We were troubled by some of his opinions, like the 2008 Crawford v. Marion County Election Board ruling, which upheld a state law requiring photo identification to vote.

The New York Times

Margaret and I followed them for a while, but had a hard time getting into the joyful spirit, because we were troubled by our own recent conduct: we've been spending too much money in restaurants, and eating too heavily.

The New Yorker

While the panel's favorites were complex, elemental and intriguing, we were troubled by a lack of intensity in many of the bottles as well as by a sense of artificiality in some.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"We are troubled by these practices".

The New York Times

We're troubled by what's in the agreement; we're troubled by differences.

Independent

We are troubled by that vision.

The Guardian - Opinion

We are troubled by the grand bargain".

The New York Times

Ms. Ryan added: "And we're troubled by that.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were troubled" to express concern or unease about a specific situation or development. Ensure the context clearly identifies what caused the concern.

Common error

Avoid using "we were troubled" when a stronger term like "we were horrified" or a weaker term like "we were slightly concerned" more accurately reflects the intensity of the feeling.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were troubled" functions as a statement of feeling or reaction. It indicates a state of being concerned, disturbed, or worried about something. The structure uses 'we' as the subject, 'were' as the past tense of the verb 'to be', and 'troubled' as an adjective describing the state. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were troubled" is a grammatically correct and common phrase used to express feelings of concern or unease. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's frequently found in news, academic and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure that the level of concern matches the context and consider alternatives like "we felt concerned" or "we were worried" to refine your meaning. Remember to avoid exaggerating or minimizing the sense of unease, choose words carefully to express the level of concern with accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were worried

Directly expresses a state of worry or anxiety about something.

we felt concerned

Emphasizes a general feeling of worry or interest in a problem.

we were disturbed

Highlights a disruption of peace of mind or tranquility.

we were anxious

Indicates a state of nervousness or unease, often anticipating a negative outcome.

we were unsettled

Highlights a lack of stability or peace of mind.

we felt uneasy

Focuses more on a feeling of slight anxiety or apprehension rather than deep concern.

we were apprehensive

Suggests a fear or dread of something that might happen in the future.

we were disquieted

Similar to 'disturbed' but often implies a more subtle or lingering unease.

we were alarmed

Implies a sudden awareness of danger or something unsettling.

we were bothered

Suggests a feeling of mild irritation or annoyance.

FAQs

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

Use "we were troubled" to express concern or unease about a specific situation. For example, "We were troubled by the report's findings on environmental pollution".

What are some alternatives to "we were troubled"?

You can use alternatives like "we felt concerned", "we were worried", or "we were disturbed" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "we were troubled by" or "we had trouble with" more appropriate?

"We were troubled by" indicates concern or unease, while "we had trouble with" refers to difficulty or problems encountered. The choice depends on whether you're expressing worry or describing a challenge.

What's the difference between "we were troubled" and "we were intrigued"?

"We were troubled" indicates concern or unease, while "we were intrigued" suggests curiosity and interest. They convey opposite emotional responses.