as we were looking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as we were looking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that was happening simultaneously with another action, often in a narrative context. Example: "As we were looking for the missing keys, we stumbled upon an old photograph."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

As we were looking at the lady, we were kind of wondering, "Hey, are you okay?

The Washington Post

We realized as we were looking at the map — thinking, How did these airport roads get flooded?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Then as we were looking, it came to us," says Barre Gas, 65, speaking through a translator.

The Guardian

"We are feeling disappointed as we were looking forward to it and I don't think we'll be able to rearrange it.

The Guardian

The work evolved; as we were looking at songs, Todd and I realized that all the songs kind of reflected this struggle.

The New York Times - Arts

"The concept of the guerrilla trek emerged as we were looking for new avenues for tourism," said Kashi Raj Bhandari, the research, planning and monitoring director at the Nepal tourism board.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

AS: We are looking at other revenue sources.

TechCrunch

As we were looked around.

Huffington Post

So we can throw these findings into the mix as we're looking for facilities.

The New York Times

As we are looking and listening, we will explore different qualities of the garden through color and sound.

University of California, Berkeley

As we're looking to retain as much moisture as possible, it seems to make more sense to look to a water-based method.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as we were looking", ensure that the main clause clearly indicates what was discovered or realized during the observation. This helps to create a smooth and logical flow in your writing.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses inconsistently within the sentence. If you start with "as we were looking" (past continuous), the subsequent action should also typically be in a past tense (e.g., "we noticed", not "we notice").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as we were looking" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by indicating when something happened. It establishes a temporal context for the event described in the main clause. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as we were looking" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a simultaneous action, often leading to a discovery or realization. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically sound and widely accepted. It commonly functions as an adverbial clause of time, providing temporal context. The phrase exhibits a neutral register and is frequently found in news, academic, and scientific sources. To enhance clarity, ensure that the main clause logically follows the observation introduced by "as we were looking". When writing, be mindful of tense consistency to avoid grammatical errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while we were observing

Replaces "looking" with "observing", emphasizing a more formal or scientific observation.

as we were examining

Substitutes "looking" with "examining", suggesting a closer, more detailed inspection.

as we were searching

Replaces "looking" with "searching", focusing on the act of actively seeking something.

while we considered

Changes the structure and replaces the continuous "were looking" with the simple past "considered", focusing on the act of thinking about something.

as we reviewed

Uses "reviewed" instead of "looking", implying a systematic assessment or inspection.

as we inspected

Substitutes "looking" with "inspected", indicating a thorough and critical examination.

during our observation

Transforms the phrase into a noun phrase, focusing on the period of observation.

as we were contemplating

Replaces "looking" with "contemplating", suggesting deep thought and reflection.

in our examination

Presents a noun phrase alternative with a focus on detailed analysis

whilst we were browsing

Replaces "looking" with "browsing", indicating a casual or exploratory search.

FAQs

How can I use "as we were looking" in a sentence?

Use "as we were looking" to describe an action happening simultaneously with another, often leading to a discovery or realization. For example, "As we were looking at the data, we noticed a significant trend."

What can I say instead of "as we were looking"?

You can use alternatives like "while we were observing", "as we were examining", or "as we were searching" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "as we looked" or "as we were looking"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "as we were looking" implies a continuous action over a period of time, while "as we looked" suggests a more immediate or singular instance of looking. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What is the difference between "as we were looking" and "while we were looking"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable. Both "as we were looking" and "while we were looking" indicate simultaneous actions. The choice often comes down to stylistic preference.