they were consulting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were consulting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where individuals are seeking advice or information from someone, typically in a professional or formal context. Example: "During the meeting, they were consulting with experts to gather insights on the new project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

They were consulting.

The New York Times

Several groups said yesterday they were consulting lawyers.

The Guardian - Business

His family said in a brief statement that they were consulting their lawyers.

Independent

Others conceded they were consulting with lawyers and not planning any trips to the United States.

The New York Times

A commission spokesman said they were consulting on how best to reduce the intake of acrylamide.

The Guardian

Police said they were consulting Chinese culture experts to identify any significance to the murder victims' pet being killed.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

They were consulted.

The New York Times

Chiefs had little authority, although they were consulted in important legal and social matters.

Encyclopedia Britannica

PNG police have denied they were consulted about the men being removed.

The Guardian

"They have taken great care to make everyone listened to, that they were consulted.

The Guardian

It will be interesting to see how the Liberal Democrats respond and whether they were consulted.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were consulting", ensure the context clearly indicates who "they" refers to and who they are consulting with. This avoids ambiguity and enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "they were consulting" in extremely informal contexts. While generally acceptable, it can sound slightly formal in very casual conversations. Consider more informal alternatives like "they were talking to" or "they were getting advice from".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were consulting" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an action in progress. Ludwig AI shows examples where it describes groups seeking advice from experts. It highlights an ongoing process of seeking information or guidance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

22%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were consulting" is a versatile and grammatically correct verbal phrase used to indicate an ongoing process of seeking advice or information. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly found in news media, academic papers, and professional settings. While generally acceptable, it's essential to consider the context to ensure the level of formality aligns appropriately. For less formal scenarios, alternatives like "they were talking to" or "they were getting advice from" may be more suitable. The best practice is to ensure clarity by specifying who "they" are and who they are consulting with, enhancing the overall understanding of the sentence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they sought guidance

Focuses on the act of seeking guidance, changing the verb and implying a more direct request for advice.

they conferred with

Highlights a formal discussion or exchange of opinions, altering the verb for a more collaborative tone.

they had discussions with

Emphasizes the act of having discussions, replacing the consulting verb with a noun-based phrase.

they sought advice from

Specifically mentions the act of seeking advice, making the purpose of the interaction clearer.

they were in discussion with

Highlights the state of being in a discussion, shifting the focus to an ongoing process.

they engaged in discussions with

Similar to "they were in discussion with" but emphasizing the active engagement in the discussions.

they were seeking input from

Highlights the action of collecting opinions, changing the verb and emphasizing the collaborative side of it.

they obtained feedback from

Focuses on obtaining feedback, implying a more specific type of consultation aimed at improvement.

they solicited opinions from

Highlights the soliciting part, that is the active request of opinions.

they took counsel with

Highlights the aspect of seeking legal counsel from someone.

FAQs

How can I use "they were consulting" in a sentence?

Use "they were consulting" to indicate that a group of people were seeking advice, information, or guidance from someone, often an expert. For example, "They were consulting with lawyers before making a decision".

What can I say instead of "they were consulting"?

You can use alternatives like "they sought guidance", "they conferred with", or "they sought advice from" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "they were consulting" in formal writing?

Yes, "they were consulting" is suitable for formal writing as it indicates a professional or official seeking of advice or information. It is common in news reports, academic papers, and business documents.

What's the difference between "they were consulting" and "they consulted"?

"They were consulting" implies an ongoing process of seeking advice or information, while "they consulted" suggests a completed action. The continuous tense emphasizes the duration of the consultation.