were with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate companionship or presence with someone in the past. Example: "When we were with our friends at the beach, we had a great time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You were with the majority….

The New Yorker

Several were with Shlomo Mintz.

The New Yorker

How many were with him?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

We were with Daddy when he died.

The New Yorker

You were with your mom I think.

The New York Times

The biggest deals were with the M.T.A.

The New York Times

Her children were with her constantly.

The New York Times

My thoughts were with my mother.

Independent

"And I realized they were with me".

The New York Times

You were with the subject every day.

The New York Times - Books

Next Saturday you were with somebody else.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were with", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean physical presence, emotional support, or agreement. For instance, "They were with us in spirit" conveys a different meaning than "They were with us at the meeting."

Common error

Avoid assuming that "were with" always implies complete agreement or support. While it can suggest alignment, clarify the extent of the relationship to prevent misinterpretations. For example, say "They were with us on the first point, but not the second".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "were with" is to act as a verb phrase indicating a state of being or presence in relation to another person or entity in the past. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its correct usage and notes its function in indicating companionship or presence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were with" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it commonly indicates companionship, support, or physical presence in the past. It appears across diverse contexts, notably in news and media, and is suitable for neutral to formal communication. Related phrases include "accompanied" and "were alongside", providing alternative ways to express association. When employing "were with", ensure clarity regarding the nature of the relationship and avoid assumptions about complete alignment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were present with

Simply indicates physical presence alongside someone or something.

were alongside

Emphasizes being physically next to or side-by-side with someone or something.

accompanied

Indicates presence or attendance with someone or something, focusing on the act of going together.

were attending with

Implies being present at the same event or location.

were in the company of

Highlights the social aspect of being with someone, focusing on companionship.

were allied with

Suggests a formal or informal alliance, indicating agreement or support.

were standing by

Implies support or readiness to assist, focusing on loyalty and commitment.

were siding with

Highlights taking a particular person's or group's side in a dispute.

were backing

Signifies support, endorsement, or financial assistance.

were assisting

Focuses on providing help or support to someone.

FAQs

How do I use "were with" in a sentence?

Use "were with" to indicate companionship, support, or presence in the past. For example, "We "were with" our family during the holidays" shows companionship, while "The fans "were with" the team all season" expresses support.

What can I say instead of "were with"?

Alternatives include "accompanied", "were alongside", or "were in the company of", depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

Which is correct, "were with" or "was with"?

"Were with" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "we", "they"), while "was with" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "I", "he", "she", "it").

What's the difference between "were with" and "were alongside"?

"Were with" is more general and can indicate companionship, support, or presence. "Were alongside" specifically emphasizes being physically next to someone or something, suggesting a closer physical proximity.