we were very upset

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were very upset" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express strong feelings of disappointment or distress about a situation or event. Example: "After hearing the news about the cancellation of the event, we were very upset."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

We were very upset.

The New Yorker

"We were very upset but tried to take on what they were telling us.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We were very upset when the pope went to Armenia last year," Gueltekin Hajiyeva, a 29-year-old member of Parliament, said after the meeting.

The New York Times

"And then when she was able to call us, late the next day, we were very upset to find out that she was in jail".

The New York Times

"We were very upset and disappointed by the court decision," said Representative Jennifer Dunn, a Washington Republican who arranged Mr. Gates's meeting with about 60 House Republicans.

The New York Times

"We were very upset about that house, that thing," said Jacqueline Tavares, 65, whose father bought several lots on Keawakapu in the 1940's, when wild pigs still wandered the sandy terrain.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

And we are very upset".

The New York Times

"We're very upset".

The New York Times

"We're very upset," Mr. Li said.

The New York Times

We are very upset about it.

The New York Times

We're very upset about the closing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were very upset", ensure the context clearly explains the reason for the upset, providing sufficient details for the reader to understand the situation.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "we were very upset" without elaborating on the specific emotions experienced or the impact of the situation. Instead, provide details about how the event affected you and your group, and what specific feelings (e.g., anger, disappointment, sadness) were evoked.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were very upset" functions as a statement expressing a shared emotional state. It typically follows a description of an event or situation that caused the negative feelings. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a valid phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were very upset" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey shared feelings of disappointment or distress. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to provide sufficient context to explain the reason for the upset and consider alternative phrases to add nuance to your writing. Consider options such as "we felt greatly distressed" or "we were deeply saddened" for varying levels of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we felt greatly distressed

Emphasizes the feeling of distress experienced.

we were deeply saddened

Focuses on the feeling of sadness and sorrow.

we were extremely disappointed

Highlights the disappointment felt.

we were terribly disheartened

Emphasizes the loss of hope and encouragement.

we were really aggrieved

Focuses on the feeling of being wronged or unjustly treated.

we took it very hard

Highlights the difficulty in coping with the situation.

we were quite disturbed

Emphasizes the disruption to one's peace of mind.

we were fairly annoyed

Indicates a mild level of irritation.

we were rather displeased

A more formal way to express mild dissatisfaction.

we were not at all happy

A direct way of saying the situation caused unhappiness.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "we were very upset"?

You can use alternatives like "we felt greatly distressed", "we were deeply saddened", or "we were extremely disappointed" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "we were very upset"?

Yes, "we were very upset" is grammatically correct. The phrase follows standard English grammar rules and is commonly used to express feelings of disappointment or distress.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "we were very upset"?

It is appropriate to use "we were very upset" when you want to express strong feelings of disappointment, distress, or annoyance about a specific situation or event that has affected a group of people.

What is a more formal way to say "we were very upset"?

More formal alternatives include "we were deeply saddened", "we were extremely disappointed", or "we felt greatly distressed". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.