when we were young

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when we were young" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to refer to a time in the past when someone was younger or to reminisce about one's childhood or youth. Example: When we were young, my siblings and I would spend every summer at our grandparents' farm, swimming in the lake and helping with chores.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"When we were young, the place was mobbed," Eddie says.

The New York Times - Magazine

It felt like it did when we were young.

The Guardian

"We were four boys at home when we were young.

The Guardian

"We moved out to Stevenage when we were young boys".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We didn't have none of that when we were young.

The New York Times - Sports

Many of us have been there, when we were young.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"This was in school, when we were young, in Astoria.

The New York Times

Back when we were young and I had hair!" He slaps his balding head and laughs.

The Guardian - Travel

"But we got into debt on our credit cards when we were young.

The Guardian - Money

In our heart, the dollar is pegged at the value it had when we were young.

The New Yorker

The biggest change from when we were young there was the noise of that highway.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when we were young" to evoke a sense of nostalgia or to contrast past experiences with the present. It's particularly effective in storytelling or reflective writing.

Common error

Avoid using "when we were young" to describe current situations. This phrase refers to a past time and should not be used to describe something happening in the present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when we were young" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying a main clause by specifying when something occurred or was true. Ludwig examples show its use in narratives and reflective statements. It provides temporal context, helping the reader understand the sequence or duration of events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "when we were young" is a versatile adverbial clause used to set a temporal context, typically to reminisce about the past or contrast it with the present. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and frequently used. The phrase finds common usage in News & Media. While its register is generally neutral, it tends towards informal, making it suitable for diverse writing styles. To enhance clarity and impact, avoid using it to describe current situations and consider alternatives like "in our youth" or "during our childhood" for different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in our youth

Focuses on the period of youth, abstracting from specific instances.

during our childhood

Specifically denotes the time frame of childhood.

in our early years

Highlights the initial stages of life or a specific period.

back in the day

A more casual and idiomatic way to refer to a past time.

in our formative years

Focuses on the years that shaped one's character and development.

when we were adolescents

Specifically refers to the period of adolescence.

in our salad days

Emphasizes the inexperience and enthusiasm of youth.

in our tender age

Emphasizes the innocence and vulnerability of youth.

in days gone by

A more poetic and nostalgic way to refer to the past.

in the springtime of our lives

Uses a metaphor to describe youth as a time of growth and vitality.

FAQs

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

You can use "when we were young" to reminisce about past experiences or to contrast the past with the present. For example, "When we were young, we used to spend summers at the beach, but now we prefer mountain vacations".

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

Alternatives include phrases like "in our youth", "during our childhood", or "back in the day", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "when we are young" instead of "when we were young"?

No, "when we are young" implies a general or future condition, while "when we were young" refers to a specific period in the past.

How does the connotation of "when we were young" differ from "in our childhood"?

"When we were young" can encompass a broader period of youth, while "in our childhood" specifically refers to the time when we were children. The former can include teenage years or early adulthood, depending on context.