were exhausted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were exhausted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of extreme tiredness experienced by one or more individuals in the past. Example: "After the long hike, we were exhausted and needed to rest before continuing our journey."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were exhausted".

The New York Times

They were exhausted.

The New York Times

Afterward they were exhausted.

The New York Times - Arts

Both teams were exhausted.

The New York Times - Sports

His crew members were exhausted.

The New Yorker

Put simply, they were exhausted".

Independent

Maybe the players were exhausted.

The New York Times

All of them were exhausted.

The New York Times - Magazine

The family savings were exhausted.

The New York Times

We were exhausted from worry.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Moreover, Japanese offensive capabilities were exhausted.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were exhausted" to describe a state of extreme tiredness resulting from physical or mental exertion. Ensure the context clearly indicates the cause of the exhaustion.

Common error

Avoid using "were exhausted" to describe a permanent or chronic condition. It's more appropriate for temporary states resulting from specific activities or events. For ongoing fatigue, consider terms like "suffered from chronic fatigue" or "consistently tired".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were exhausted" functions as a predicative adjective, describing the state or condition of the subject. It indicates that the subject experienced a state of extreme tiredness in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

17%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were exhausted" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a past state of extreme tiredness. As demonstrated by Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in news, academic writing, and scientific publications. While "were exhausted" is appropriate for various contexts, consider using synonyms like "were fatigued" or "were drained" to subtly adjust the tone and formality. When using "were exhausted", ensure that the subject is plural and that the context clearly indicates the cause and temporary nature of the exhaustion. By considering these factors, you can effectively and accurately convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were fatigued

Replaces "exhausted" with a more formal synonym.

were drained

Conveys a sense of depletion, both physically and emotionally.

were worn out

Indicates a state of being tired and depleted from use or effort.

were spent

Suggests a complete exhaustion of energy or resources.

were tired out

Simple and direct way to express being very tired.

were beat

Informal way to describe being very tired.

were pooped

More colloquial and less formal synonym for "exhausted".

were weary

Implies a more prolonged or deeper state of tiredness.

were bushed

Informal, often used to describe physical exhaustion.

were depleted of energy

Explicitly states the lack of energy, focusing on the cause of exhaustion.

FAQs

How can I use "were exhausted" in a sentence?

You can use "were exhausted" to describe a past state of extreme tiredness. For example, "After the marathon, we "were exhausted" and could barely walk".

What are some alternatives to "were exhausted"?

Some alternatives include "were fatigued", "were drained", or "were worn out", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was exhausted" instead of "were exhausted"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "was exhausted" for singular subjects (e.g., "I was exhausted") and "were exhausted" for plural subjects (e.g., "We "were exhausted"").

What's the difference between "were exhausted" and "are exhausted"?

"Were exhausted" describes a past state of tiredness, while "are exhausted" describes a present state. For example, "We "were exhausted" after the game yesterday," versus "We "are exhausted" now because we didn't sleep well".