we were used

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were used" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or a group of people were utilized or exploited for a particular purpose, often without their consent or awareness. Example: "In the project, we were used as mere tools to achieve their goals without any recognition of our contributions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

We were used to us all trying to sink each other but not to resorting to suicide to do it.

Huffington Post

We were used to it".

The New York Times - Health

"We were used to him.

The New York Times

And besides, we were used to it.

The New York Times

We were used to obeying orders.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We were used to long proposals.

The New York Times

It wasn't what we were used to.

The Guardian - Arts

We were used to coming in to the studio prepared.

The Guardian

"We were used as bait," Mr. Encinas said.

The New York Times - Health

We were used to speaking with our own kind.

The Guardian - Music

I feel we were used as a test flight.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were used", ensure the context clearly identifies who used you and for what purpose to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Don't use "we were used" without specifying by whom. For example, instead of saying "we were used", specify "we were used by the company to boost sales figures".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were used" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject (we) received the action of being utilized or exploited by someone else. This aligns with Ludwig's examples where it often expresses a sense of manipulation or unfair treatment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were used" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive construction that expresses a feeling of being exploited or manipulated. As Ludwig's AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase found predominantly in news and media contexts. When employing this phrase, it is best practice to ensure clarity by specifying who did the using and for what purpose. While alternatives such as "we were exploited" or "we were taken advantage of" offer nuanced ways to express similar sentiments, "we were used" remains a direct and widely understood way to convey a sense of having been treated unfairly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were exploited

Focuses specifically on unfair advantage and benefit taken at our expense.

we were taken advantage of

Highlights the opportunistic nature of the situation where someone benefited unfairly.

we were manipulated

Emphasizes the deceptive tactics employed to influence our actions.

we were instrumentalized

Stresses the treatment as a means to an end, devoid of intrinsic value.

we were pawns

Conveys a sense of being controlled and sacrificed for someone else's strategy.

we were employed as tools

Highlights the functional aspect, reducing individuals to mere instruments.

we were treated like objects

Focuses on the dehumanizing aspect, denying respect and autonomy.

we were made fools of

Emphasizes the deception and humiliation experienced.

we were deceived

Highlights the act of being misled or betrayed.

we were played

Suggests skillful manipulation for personal gain, similar to a game.

FAQs

What does "we were used" mean?

The phrase "we were used" means that a group of people was utilized or exploited, often without their full knowledge or consent, to achieve someone else's goals.

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

You can use "we were used" to express a feeling of being manipulated or exploited, like in the sentence, "In the project, "we were used" as mere tools to achieve their goals."

What are some alternatives to "we were used"?

Alternatives to "we were used" include phrases like "we were exploited", "we were taken advantage of", or "we were manipulated".

Is "we were used" formal or informal?

"We were used" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the situation and the speaker's intent.