I was touring

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was touring" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an activity of traveling around a place, often for pleasure or exploration, in the past tense. Example: "Last summer, I was touring Europe and visiting various historical sites."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

About four years ago, when I was touring colleges and preparing to apply, I selected a short list of campuses to tour based on appearance.

The Guardian - Opinion

I was touring the ballpark last week with my baseball-crazed son, holding my nose as we toured the suites, and the tour guide told us that before the existence of Coors Field, there was nothing in lower downtown to speak of.

Huffington Post

I was touring the country.

The New York Times - Style

While I was touring the office, it began to snow.

The New Yorker

I was touring with the young U.S. hockey team.

The New York Times

I was touring at the time with Black Cherry, a band I co-founded.

The New York Times

"I was touring a dead album at the time," he recalled.

The New Yorker

"I was making good money when I was touring," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

It's all pretty different from the treatment I got in America when I was touring there.

The Guardian - Music

In other words, I was touring, to use Paul Bowles's classic distinction, rather than traveling — seeking enjoyment rather than experience.

The New York Times - Books

"When I was touring in 2005-6, sofe of the places we played in had a club after the gig.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was touring" to describe a past activity that involved traveling to multiple locations, whether for leisure, work, or performance. It implies a planned itinerary or purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "I was touring" if you only visited one location. The phrase suggests a journey involving multiple destinations over a period of time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was touring" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense, describing an ongoing action of traveling to multiple locations. Ludwig examples confirm this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was touring" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression indicating a past activity of traveling to various locations, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it holds a neutral tone suitable for diverse contexts. Alternatives such as "I was traveling" or "I went on tour" offer similar meanings, depending on the specific nuance intended. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure the context involves multiple destinations to accurately reflect the phrase's implication of a structured journey. Ludwig's examples showcase its broad applicability, solidifying its place as a valuable phrase in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was traveling

Uses a synonym for 'touring' to describe the act of journeying.

I traveled around

Replaces 'touring' with a more general term for travel, focusing on the act of moving from place to place.

I was sightseeing

Highlights the act of visiting landmarks and attractions.

I went on tour

Emphasizes the structured nature of a tour, implying a planned itinerary.

I did a tour

Simplifies the phrase to a more concise form, focusing on the completion of a tour.

I explored

Focuses on the act of discovering and learning about new places.

I was on the road

Highlights the experience of continuous travel, often for work or performance.

I was performing

Focuses on the act of giving performances in different locations, often related to musical or theatrical tours.

I journeyed

Implies a more significant and purposeful travel experience.

I visited various places

Replaces 'touring' with a more descriptive phrase, emphasizing the act of seeing different locations.

FAQs

What does "I was touring" mean?

The phrase "I was touring" indicates that you were traveling to different places, often as part of a planned itinerary, whether for leisure, work, or performance.

What can I say instead of "I was touring"?

You can use alternatives like "I was traveling", "I went on tour", or "I explored" depending on the context.

Is "I was touring" formal or informal?

The phrase "I was touring" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

How do I use "I was touring" in a sentence?

You can use "I was touring" to describe a past experience, such as "Last summer, "I was touring" Europe and visiting historical sites".