we were very young

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were very young" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a time in the past when you or a group of people were at a young age, often in a reflective or nostalgic context. Example: "Looking back at those days, we were very young and full of dreams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The real questions were about Rick James, an early bandmate of Young's ("We were very young," he said. "We had fun").

The New Yorker

The success of his earlier book of children's verse, When We Were Very Young, had given Milne the sense that the new book would do quite well.

Forbes

"Really, we were very young," laughs Kaye.

Independent

"We were aware that we were very young," she said.

The New York Times

When we Were Very Young by AA Milne At the age of about 5, I won a copy of AA Milne's When We Were Very Young.

The Guardian

"We were very young and we were in love/lust," Nugent told Mann.

The New Yorker

"We were very young," she said, "and you have to understand how helpless we felt".

The New York Times - Sports

But then we can't be held accountable for what we did when we were very young".

The New Yorker

Sean said, "From the time we were very young, it was all about expanding your imagination".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Now we are very young".

Independent

We're very young.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were very young" when reflecting on past experiences to emphasize naiveté, inexperience, or a simpler time. For example, "We made many mistakes because we were very young and didn't know any better."

Common error

While "we were very young" is acceptable in many situations, avoid using it excessively in formal writing or professional settings. Opt for more precise language like "we were inexperienced" or "we were in our early careers" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were very young" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase modifying "we". It indicates the age and relative immaturity of a group of people at a specific point in time. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were very young" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to reflect on past experiences and emphasize the naiveté or inexperience of youth. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable. While it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, it can be used in various settings, though formal or scientific contexts may benefit from more precise language. Remember to use "we were very young" to provide context, evoke nostalgia, or explain past actions, while being mindful of the tone and audience. Alternatives like "we were just kids" or "we were inexperienced" can be considered depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were just kids

Replaces "very young" with a more informal and direct expression.

we were youthful

Simple adjective describing the state of being young.

we were in our youth

Uses a more formal tone to express the same idea.

we were mere children

Emphasizes the innocence and lack of responsibility associated with being young.

we were adolescents

Replaces the phrase with a more specific term for the age group.

we were barely adults

Highlights the transition from childhood to adulthood and the accompanying inexperience.

we were inexperienced

Focuses on the lack of experience associated with youth.

we were still green

Uses a figurative expression to convey lack of maturity and experience.

we were at a tender age

Emphasizes the vulnerability associated with youth.

we were in our formative years

Highlights the importance of youth as a period of development.

FAQs

How can I use "we were very young" in a sentence?

You can use "we were very young" to reflect on past experiences, highlighting the naiveté or inexperience of youth. For example, "We were very young and didn't realize the consequences of our actions."

What are some alternatives to "we were very young"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "we were just kids", "we were inexperienced", or "we were adolescents".

Is it appropriate to use "we were very young" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, using "we were very young" may not be ideal for formal writing. Consider more precise and professional alternatives like "we were early in our careers" or "we lacked experience".

What does "we were very young" imply?

The phrase "we were very young" implies a lack of maturity, experience, or awareness at a particular time in the past. It often carries a tone of nostalgia or reflection.