where were we

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "where were we" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used in casual conversation or writing as a way to remind someone of the point or topic that was being discussed before being interrupted or sidetracked. Example: "We were talking about our plans for the weekend. Oh, where were we? Right, we were thinking about going camping."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Where were we?

The New York Times

So where were we?

The New Yorker

Where were we, then?

The New Yorker

Where were we attacked?

The New Yorker

So where were we, exactly?

The New York Times - Travel

Where were we all going?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Where are we, Ducasse?

The New Yorker

But where are we?

The New York Times

Where are we indeed?

The New York Times - Arts

Where are we headed?

The New York Times

Where are we?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "where were we" to smoothly transition back to a previous topic after an interruption, signaling a desire to continue the original train of thought.

Common error

Avoid using "where were we" in formal writing where a more direct and specific restatement of the previous point would be more appropriate. In such contexts, briefly summarize the previous discussion before moving forward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "where were we" functions as an interrogative clause used to prompt recollection of a prior point in a conversation or narrative. Ludwig confirms that this is a standard and acceptable usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "where were we" is a common and grammatically correct way to resume a conversation or narrative after an interruption. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as an interrogative clause prompting recollection of a previous point. While primarily used in neutral to informal contexts like News & Media, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives in academic or professional writing. Related phrases such as "where did we leave off" and "what were we talking about" offer similar ways to smoothly transition back to the original topic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

let's see, where were we

This adds a reflective pause, indicating the speaker is trying to recall the previous point.

where did we leave off

This alternative focuses on the point of interruption in a conversation or story.

where were we in the story

This specifies that the discussion is about a narrative.

as we were saying

A concise way to indicate a return to the original point.

where were we at

This phrase is a more informal variation of the original, using "at" to indicate position in the discussion.

what were we discussing

Similar to "what were we talking about", but slightly more formal.

what were we talking about

This directly asks for a reminder of the subject under discussion.

how far did we get

This focuses on the progress made before the interruption.

to get back to what we were saying

This is a more formal way to redirect the conversation.

returning to our previous topic

A formal phrase used to steer the conversation back.

FAQs

How can I use "where were we" in a sentence?

You can use "where were we" to smoothly resume a conversation after an interruption. For example, "Okay, the phone stopped ringing, "where were we"? Oh right, discussing the project timeline."

What can I say instead of "where were we"?

You can use alternatives like "where did we leave off", "what were we talking about", or "as we were saying" depending on the context.

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

While grammatically correct, "where were we" is more suited for informal settings. In formal writing, consider briefly restating the previous point for clarity instead.

How does the context influence the choice of using "where were we" versus other alternatives?

The context dictates the formality and specificity needed. "Where did we leave off" is a good alternative if you specifically want to pick up from a defined point. "What were we discussing" is more general and asks for a reminder of the overall topic.