when we were younger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when we were younger" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a time in the past when the speaker or someone else was younger. Example: "When we were younger, my brother and I used to play in the backyard for hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even when we were younger and less sensible, we didn't.

The Guardian - Opinion

Frank: "We were always rough kids when we were younger.

The New York Times - Style

He was very, very dominant when we were younger.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When we were younger we spent holidays together.

Independent

"When we were younger it was more friendly.

Independent

All three of us loved playing with radio control cars when we were younger.

Cornell University

Indeed, when we were younger a century ride was often just a race without the prizes.

The New York Times - Travel

Q We are an older couple who failed to visit India when we were younger.

The Times

My family, my dad, who truly believed that we had it when we were younger.

The Guardian - Sport

When we were younger, we had a little rink in the back.

The New York Times - Sports

"We felt obliged when we were younger to go apeshit," Mortimer says.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when we were younger" to establish a clear contrast between past experiences and the present, emphasizing changes in perspective, abilities, or circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "when we were younger" if you're referring to a specific period other than youth, such as a previous job or a different stage of adulthood. Using a more precise phrase would provide more accurate context for your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when we were younger" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying a main clause by specifying when an action or state occurred. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. It establishes a temporal context, often highlighting contrasts between past and present situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "when we were younger" is a grammatically correct and very commonly used adverbial clause of time, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to establish a past timeframe, often to contrast it with the present. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, including news and media, academia, and general conversation. While highly versatile, consider using more specific phrases in formal writing or when referring to a timeframe other than youth. As shown in Ludwig's examples, this phrase helps emphasize changes in perspectives, abilities, or circumstances over time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when we were kids

More informal and direct, specifying the period of childhood.

during our younger years

Emphasizes a period of time in the past, making it slightly more formal and descriptive.

in our youth

Focuses specifically on the period of being young, often implying vigor and inexperience; it's more concise.

in our childhood

Specifically refers to the time when the speakers were children, a subset of "when we were younger".

in our adolescence

Refers specifically to the teenage years; more precise in its time frame.

back in the day

Informal idiom referring to a past time, often nostalgic, but not necessarily tied to youth.

in our formative years

Focuses on the period when one's character and values are being developed; more about personal development.

earlier in life

A more general phrase, not necessarily implying youth, but referring to a time before the present.

in our salad days

An idiomatic expression referring to a time of youthful inexperience and exuberance; more literary.

in the past

A general reference to a time before now, which could include youth or other periods.

FAQs

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

You can use "when we were younger" to compare past and present situations, like "When we were younger, we used to play outside all day, but now we spend more time indoors".

What phrases are similar to "when we were younger"?

Similar phrases include "in our youth", "during our younger years", or "back in the day", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "when we were younger" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "when we were younger" is generally more suited for informal or neutral contexts. For formal writing, consider using phrases like "during our formative years" or "earlier in life" if appropriate.

What's the difference between "when we were younger" and "when we were kids"?

"When we were kids" specifically refers to childhood, while "when we were younger" can encompass a broader period, including teenage years or early adulthood. The best choice depends on the specific timeframe you wish to reference.