learned as we go

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "learned as we go" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the idea of acquiring knowledge or skills gradually over time while engaging in a particular activity or process. Example: "We didn't have a formal plan, but we learned as we went, adapting to challenges as they arose."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"As with any project we will review after each stage and ensure that lessons are learned as we go forward," he said.

BBC

Mattingly: We learned as we go.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

We learned as we went along".

The New York Times

"When we started, our ignorance of boats and boat-building was total and we learned as we went along with the project".

The New York Times

We had never put a gig on, we didn't know what a backline was … but we just learned as we went on, because we were genuinely massive fans of metal".

The Guardian - Music

The other thing I'd say that we knew when we started but we learned as we went, too, is that ultimately, when the characters were true and when the emotional drama was interesting to us and rich to us, that the story worked.

Huffington Post

We are learning as we go.

The Guardian - Tech

But we learn as we go.

The Guardian

We're learning as we go along.

The New York Times - Health

We are going to learn as we go along.

The Economist

And we're all learning as we go.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing project methodologies, use "learned as we go" to indicate a flexible approach where the team adapts based on ongoing feedback and results.

Common error

While "learned as we go" is acceptable, overuse in formal reports or academic papers may suggest a lack of planning. Consider using more formal synonyms like "iterative development" or "empirical learning" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "learned as we go" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or verb phrase to indicate the manner in which something is done. Ludwig examples show its use to describe a dynamic learning process during project execution.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "learned as we go" is a grammatically sound and common expression used to describe a process of iterative learning and adaptation during an activity or project. Ludwig AI indicates that it is often found in news and media contexts, conveying flexibility and a willingness to improve continuously. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to consider the context and choose more formal alternatives in academic or scientific settings. When using this phrase, consider the best practices to effectively communicate adaptability and continuous improvement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

picking things up along the way

Uses a more colloquial expression for incidental learning during an activity.

gaining knowledge progressively

Focuses on the gradual acquisition of knowledge, omitting the explicit mention of an activity.

understanding as we advance

Focuses on gaining understanding in conjunction with progress.

acquiring skills on the fly

Highlights the rapid and adaptive learning of skills during an activity.

adjusting and learning simultaneously

Highlights the concurrent nature of adjustment and learning.

adapting through experience

Emphasizes adaptation as a direct result of practical experience.

developing expertise incrementally

Emphasizes the gradual development of expertise over time.

improvising our knowledge base

Suggests a more spontaneous and less structured approach to learning.

gathering insights continuously

Highlights the ongoing accumulation of insights.

growing wiser with each step

Uses a more metaphorical expression for gaining wisdom during a process.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "learned as we go" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "acquired knowledge iteratively", "developed understanding empirically", or "gained expertise progressively".

Is "learned as we go" appropriate for academic writing?

While understandable, "learned as we go" may be too informal for academic writing. Use more structured phrases that highlight research methodology and empirical findings to highlight that you developed understanding empirically.

What's the difference between "learned as we go" and "learned as we went"?

"Learned as we go" implies a continuous, ongoing process of learning, while "learned as we went" suggests that the learning occurred during a specific past event. The choice depends on whether the learning is still happening or has already concluded.

How to use "learned as we go" in a sentence?

You can use "learned as we go" to describe a project or process where knowledge and skills are acquired gradually. For instance, "The project was novel, and we "picked things up along the way"", or "In developing the new system, we acquired knowledge iteratively".