as we were watching

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as we were watching" 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 watching the sunset, the sky turned a brilliant shade of orange."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

As we were watching, a snowplow came up the street and ran over Dunleavy's foot.

The New Yorker

"As we were watching these sites post-Sept 11, there was a lot of angst, spiritual angst," Mr. Rainie said.

The New York Times

But Walter just told me as we were watching the second clip from Central Station, the scene with the big religious festival, that that was actually improvised.

The Guardian - Film

As we were watching, he stopped his bike at the edge of the lake, set it down and threw the snake into the water.

The New York Times

At the same time as we were watching the paddyfield warbler, a yellow-browed warbler was performing for admirers along the seafront at Worthing.

The Guardian

"AS we were watching television, we saw the second plane hit," said Jerrold L. Nadler, who represents lower Manhattan and was in Washington that morning.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Instruments are passed between cast members, and songs seem to be learned as we're watching.

The Guardian

And advertisers don't care so much what we're watching so long as we're watching them.

The Guardian

But Mr. Langella exudes an intensity of focus that, as long as we're watching him, trumps any moral considerations.

The New York Times

"If a football club is going to sign a player they might watch him 10 times, where as we're watching them over years and years," says Jacobson.

The Guardian - Sport

Nick Pileggi recalls sitting next to him during the première of "GoodFellas," at the Ziegfeld Theatre, in Manhattan: "As we're watching, I'm getting these elbows.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as we were watching" to clearly indicate that two events or actions occurred simultaneously, providing a sense of immediacy to your narrative. For example, "As we were watching the game, the power went out."

Common error

Avoid using "as we were watching" excessively in formal writing where a more concise or sophisticated phrasing might be preferred. Alternatives like "during our observation" or "while we observed" may suit a more formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as we were watching" functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a dependent clause that provides context or background to the main clause. It establishes a temporal relationship, indicating that the action in the dependent clause occurred simultaneously with the action in the main clause. Ludwig examples confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as we were watching" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to set a scene or provide background context, indicating simultaneous actions. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, highlighting its presence primarily in news and media sources. While versatile, it should be used thoughtfully in formal contexts where more concise phrasing might be suitable. Remember to consider related phrases like "while we observed" or "during our observation" to add nuance to your writing. The key is to ensure that the phrase adds clarity and immediacy to your narrative, drawing the reader into the moment alongside you.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as we observed

A slightly more formal and direct way of saying the same thing, omitting the continuous tense.

while we observed

Replaces the continuous tense with a simple past tense, making the observation sound more concise.

as we viewed

Substitutes "watching" with "viewed", which can sound more formal depending on the context.

at the time we were watching

Adds specificity to the timing of the observation, highlighting the particular moment.

during our observation

Transforms the phrase into a noun-based structure, emphasizing the period of observation.

during the time we watched

Similar to the previous one, but less concise and slightly more emphatic about the period.

while in the act of watching

Emphasizes the active nature of watching, adding a layer of detail about the activity.

in the course of watching

A more formal way to indicate "during watching", implying a process or sequence.

while we took in

Replaces 'watching' with an idiomatic expression that indicates absorption and understanding.

as we gazed at

Replaces 'watching' with 'gazed at' suggesting a prolonged and attentive observation.

FAQs

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

Use "as we were watching" to describe an action happening simultaneously with another. For example, "As we were watching the news, we learned about the election results."

What are some alternatives to "as we were watching"?

Consider alternatives like "while we observed", "as we observed", or "during our observation" depending on the context and desired formality.

Is it correct to say "as we watched" instead of "as we were watching"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "as we were watching" emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action, while "as we watched" simply states that the observation occurred. Choose the option that best reflects the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "as we watched" and "as we were watching"?

"As we watched" implies a completed action or a simple observation, whereas "as we were watching" suggests a continuous action in progress. The latter is useful when the observation directly influences or is influenced by another simultaneous event.