as we sailed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as we sailed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or experience that occurred during the act of sailing, often in a narrative or descriptive context. Example: "As we sailed across the calm waters, the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Back aboard Splendour, Michael served soup and sandwiches as we sailed for Arran.

Independent

As we sailed away, I found myself hoping that he does.

The Guardian

As we sailed back to the docks, Brad's teeth were clattering.

The New York Times - Sports

By daybreak, we were clear of the danger as we sailed north.

The New York Times - Sports

"I can't understand it," Schwartz said several times, shaking his head, as we sailed up Park Avenue South.

The New Yorker

And so it went for the next three days, as we sailed to Cozumel, Mexico, and back.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

The next morning, as we sail back into the Port of Los Angeles, a crew member beckons me over.

The Guardian

The port of Tulcea in Romania gradually drops out of sight as we sail down the Danube.

The Guardian

They come to the shoreline to investigate our ship as we sail past, they hop on and off ice floes, flocks of them fly in formation through the water.

The Guardian

This is the part for the necessary disclaimer about how topical product features don't always mean that a company (or its parent company) does the work to pursue the deeper parts of an LGBTQ-inclusive agenda, a message worth remembering as we sail swiftly into the ever-corporate seas of Pride Month.

TechCrunch

We would do well to heed his wise words as we sail our raft of environmental laws into the brave new world we've created.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as we sailed" to describe simultaneous actions or circumstances during a sailing trip, creating a vivid sense of time and place. For example: "As we sailed into the bay, the sun was setting."

Common error

Avoid using incorrect verb tenses after "as we sailed". Ensure the following verb tense is consistent with the past action of sailing. For example, use "As we sailed, the dolphins appeared" instead of "As we sailed, the dolphins appear."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as we sailed" functions as a temporal adverbial clause, introducing a circumstance or action occurring simultaneously with the main clause's event. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used to describe what happened during a sailing journey, setting a scene or context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as we sailed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that functions as a temporal adverbial clause, setting the scene for events occurring during a sailing journey. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase effectively provides background information and enhances narrative storytelling. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, its neutral register makes it suitable for various forms of communication. When using the phrase, ensure consistency in verb tenses to maintain grammatical accuracy. Furthermore, consider alternatives like "while sailing" or "during our voyage" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while sailing

Emphasizes the simultaneous nature of the actions.

whilst we were sailing

A more formal alternative to "while sailing".

during our voyage

Focuses on the entire journey rather than a specific action within it.

as we cruised

Replace "sailed" with cruise, which is a similar term.

on our sailing journey

Highlights the trip aspect and the fact that it's a sailing journey.

as the ship sailed

Replaces "we" with "the ship", focusing on the vessel's movement.

as we traveled by sea

More descriptive and emphasizes the mode of transport.

during the sail

A shorter and more concise alternative.

while at sea

Focuses on being at sea during the event

on the voyage

More generic, can be used even if it's not specifically sailing.

FAQs

How can I use "as we sailed" in a sentence?

Use "as we sailed" to set the scene or describe concurrent events during a sailing journey. For example, "As we sailed along the coast, we saw several dolphins."

What are some alternatives to "as we sailed"?

You can use alternatives like "while sailing", "during our voyage", or "on our sailing journey" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "as we sail" instead of "as we sailed"?

The phrase "as we sail" uses the present tense and describes an action happening now or a habitual action. "As we sailed" uses the past tense and describes an action that occurred in the past. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "as we sailed" and "after we sailed"?

"As we sailed" describes events happening during the sailing trip, while "after we sailed" describes events that happened after the sailing trip concluded. The first indicates simultaneity; the second indicates sequence.