we were unfamiliar

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were unfamiliar" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a lack of knowledge or experience regarding a particular subject or situation in the past. Example: "When we first arrived in the city, we were unfamiliar with the local customs and traditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Hacienda del Plata is a fairly new winery, one we were unfamiliar with, but the rest of our top five comprised fairly well-known Argentine names.

The New York Times - Food

"We were unfamiliar with racing and thought they'd be dirty, with wrecked cars out front," said Cecile Ebert, the park's president and owner.

The New York Times - Sports

"Obviously we were unfamiliar with the song, but we had to hold our hands up and say there was a definite similarity in melody so we settled it amicably," said Napier.

The Guardian - Music

The pastor, who turned out to be quite affable, if somewhat overburdened by the spiritual welfare of his current souls, understood our aversion to resting among the rows of graves, since as individuals and newcomers we were unfamiliar with the neighbourly or familial entanglements of the villagers at rest there.

The Guardian - Books

"We were unfamiliar with this approach," he says.

Forbes

The series is a comment on computing and identity, but also creates an archive of this moment in history where we have started to manipulate pixels directly through gestures that we were unfamiliar with just over 5 years ago.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

We are unfamiliar with a sense of personal danger.

The New York Times

It could be a guy we're familiar seeing, or it could be someone we're unfamiliar seeing.

The New York Times - Sports

Ms. Locke of Penguin said she could not "speak directly" to Harper Lee's statement, "as it was not sent to us, and we're unfamiliar with the circumstances under which it was released".

The New York Times - Books

"We have worked in East Timor, Kosovo, Bosnia, the Great Lakes district in Africa, so it's not as if we are unfamiliar with dangers and conflicts," said Joseph Saba, the World Bank's director for the Middle East region.

The New York Times

The Australians should still be able to negotiate their remaining group games against the United States and Russia to qualify as one of the top two teams in Pool C. "It's certainly a taste of reality, but it's not something we're unfamiliar with.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were unfamiliar" to introduce a contrast or explain a change in understanding or approach due to gaining experience.

Common error

Avoid overstating the extent of unfamiliarity. Instead of saying "we were unfamiliar with everything about X", specify the particular aspects that were unknown, for example, "we were unfamiliar with the specific regulations governing X".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were unfamiliar" functions as a statement of past unfamiliarity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a state of not knowing or lacking experience at a certain time in the past, helping to set the stage for further explanation or context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Books

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were unfamiliar" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a lack of prior knowledge or experience. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's considered uncommon but versatile, fitting within neutral and professional registers, especially in News & Media and Scientific contexts. Related phrases include "we lacked familiarity" and "we had no experience with", each with slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding who "we" refers to and avoid overstating the extent of unfamiliarity. This phrase sets context for explanations, offering insights into past actions or decisions based on limited prior knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we lacked familiarity

Emphasizes the absence of prior knowledge or experience, focusing on the lack itself.

we had no experience with

Highlights the absence of practical engagement or involvement with something.

we were not acquainted with

Suggests a formal lack of introduction or knowledge, implying a more distant relationship.

we were ignorant of

Indicates a complete lack of awareness or information about something.

we were unaware of

Focuses on the absence of conscious knowledge or realization.

we were new to

Implies a recent introduction to a subject, highlighting the initial stage of learning.

we hadn't encountered

Indicates a lack of prior exposure or contact with something.

we were strangers to

Suggests a complete lack of understanding or experience, emphasizing unfamiliarity.

we had not been exposed to

Emphasizes the absence of prior introduction or contact with something, often in a broader sense.

it was our first time

Focuses on the novelty of the experience, highlighting that it was a new occurrence.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we were unfamiliar" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "we lacked familiarity", "we were not acquainted with", or "we had no experience with".

Is it correct to say "we are unfamiliar" instead of "we were unfamiliar"?

Yes, both are correct, but "we were unfamiliar" refers to a past state of unfamiliarity, whereas "we are unfamiliar" refers to a current state. The appropriate choice depends on the context.

What's the difference between "we were unaware" and "we were unfamiliar"?

"We were unaware" suggests a lack of knowledge or realization about something. "We were unfamiliar" implies a lack of experience or acquaintance. While related, "unaware" focuses on knowledge, and "unfamiliar" on experience.

Can I use "we were unfamiliar" in academic writing?

Yes, "we were unfamiliar" is appropriate for academic writing when describing a previous lack of knowledge or experience related to the research or subject matter. Ensure the context is clear and professional.