they were working on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were working on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing task or project that a group of people is engaged in. Example: "They were working on the new marketing strategy when the meeting was called."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

The song they were working on was The Ministry of Social Affairs.

The Guardian - Music

"They were working on the first one".

The New York Times

They were working on it.

The New York Times - Travel

They were working on their relationship.

The New Yorker

They were working on projects together.

The Guardian - Film

The people at Logitech said they were working on that.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

They're working on plans….

The New Yorker

They're working on it.

The New York Times - Arts

They are working on it".

Independent

Now they are working on treatments.

The New York Times - Health

(They are working on adding Urdu).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were working on" to describe ongoing projects or tasks. For completed projects, switch to "they worked on" or "they completed".

Common error

Avoid using "they are working on" when referring to a past project. Use "they were working on" for past continuous actions and "they have been working on" for actions that started in the past and continue to the present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were working on" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past continuous action. It describes an activity that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig provides many examples of its usage in various contexts, reinforcing this function. It is used to describe what a group of people was doing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were working on" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe ongoing actions or projects in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and high frequency across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines "they" and choose the correct tense to accurately convey the timeframe of the activity. Consider alternatives like "they were developing" or "they were creating" to add nuance. By avoiding common errors like incorrect tense usage and focusing on clarity, writers can effectively use this phrase in their work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were developing

Replaces "working on" with a synonym that suggests a more complex or long-term activity.

they were developing something

Adds 'something' to indicate the object of the action is unspecified or general.

they were in the process of creating

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the work and uses a more formal tone.

they were in the middle of

Indicates that the activity was ongoing and not yet completed.

they dedicated their time to

Focuses on the time invested in the activity, suggesting a significant commitment.

they focused their efforts on

Highlights the concentration and energy directed towards the activity.

they were engaged in

Uses a more formal term to describe their involvement in the activity.

they labored over

Suggests that the activity was difficult or required considerable effort.

they toiled on

Implies a sense of hard work and persistence in pursuing the activity.

they collaborated on

Highlights the cooperative aspect of the activity, emphasizing teamwork.

FAQs

How can I use "they were working on" in a sentence?

Use "they were working on" to describe an action in progress in the past. For example, "They were working on the presentation all night."

What are some alternatives to "they were working on"?

You can use alternatives like "they were developing", "they were creating", or "they were developing something" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "they are working on" instead of "they were working on"?

The correct tense depends on the timeframe. Use "they are working on" for present continuous actions and "they were working on" for past continuous actions.

What's the difference between "they were working on" and "they worked on"?

"They were working on" implies an ongoing action in the past, while "they worked on" suggests a completed action or project in the past.