we both were vs we were both

Both "we both were" and "we were both" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "We both were" is used when emphasizing the action or state that both individuals were involved in, while "we were both" is used when emphasizing the fact that both individuals were involved in the action or state.

Last updated: April 05, 2024 • 1672 views

we both were

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used when emphasizing the action or state that both individuals were involved in. It is typically followed by a verb.

Examples:

We both were excited to see the movie.
They both were late for the meeting.
We both were tired after the long hike.
She and I both were in the same class.
They both were happy with the outcome.

Show examples from the web [+]

No, I mean, obviously we both were nervous.
Proving that we both were at the church when it burned down, and proving that Deb was my accomplice.
I'm saying we both were.
Perhaps we both were.
A few hours after this picture was taken we heard that Gary got a stay November 7, 2000 - Now Gary could smile again and we both were so happy.
She'll know Debra went to the church, then the gas then back to the church, proving that we both were at the church when it burned down, and proving that Deb was my accomplice.
We both were on a train, and he suddenly got off.
We both were a little drunk, so I was not afraid.
We both were primary school teacher and we chose to work abroad, craving to travel and discover the world.
I mean, we both weren't done growing yet.
I was screaming, we both were.
It was the end of something and we both were hurt and bitter.
I wish we both weren't so busy.
I guess we both were thoughtful.
No, actually, I think we both were.
I wish we both weren't so busy.
I know you say Qwali's never wrong, but I think we both were this time.
I'm just remembering all our dreams in college, how idealistic we both were.
I met Antonio when we both were studying political and food science in Milan.
But if we both were to continue working at our father's restaurant, when he retires... only one of us could be the head chef.

Alternatives:

both of us were
we were both present
we were both involved
we were both excited
we were both tired

we were both

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used when emphasizing the fact that both individuals were involved in the action or state. It is typically followed by an adjective or a noun.

Examples:

We were both happy to see each other.
They were both present at the party.
We were both involved in the project.
She and I were both in the same class.
They were both excited about the news.

Show examples from the web [+]

Jane came to me because we were both grieving.
Dude, we were both ready to gank the guy.
Saw him at Petawawa when we were both getting out.
Well, maybe we were both misinformed.
She said that we were both outsiders on campus.
She showed me her memory from when we were both in the Espheni tower.
I mean, we were both pretty drunk.
I mean, we were both a mess by the end.
Maybe we were both foolish to think we could steer her through life.
Back when we were both problem children.
Around 4 am, we were both awake.
It happened that we were both in Como.
Well, we were both undercover, Soldier.
Maybe we were both just in shock.
And we were both anxious to meet Miss Wright.
No, we were both pretty busy.
Come on, we were both up for that big important classified position.
A decade later, we were both up for tenure at Winchester, a place where my great-great-grandfather was a slave.
I appreciate, Doc, how this all may look, but we were both set up.
Zon said we were both responsible for his death.

Alternatives:

both of us were
we both were present
we both were involved
we both were happy
we both were tired

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