we are toasting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we are toasting" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the act of raising a glass in celebration or honor of someone or something. Example: "As we gather around the table, we are toasting to our friendship." Alternative expressions include "we are raising a glass" and "we are celebrating."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

We are toasting the royal couple with a glass of champagne, followed by a royal wedding party.

BBC

Greetings from Harry's Bar in San Francisco, where we are toasting the youth of New Hampshire as they -- like their cohorts in Iowa last week -- have declared themselves full partners in the civic life of our country with another whopping voter turnout.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

While we're toasting creative chutzpah, here's to David Fincher and Wes Anderson, both of whom achieved career-best grosses in 2014 by parlaying their distinctive styles into mainstream form.

The Guardian - Film

Seamus once wrote a poem after coming here, called Oysters: We had driven to that coast Through flowers and limestone And there we were, toasting friendship, Laying down a perfect memory In the cool of thatch and crockery.

The Guardian - Books

We said we were toasting dad and began laughing, talking in that shorthand way families do.

Los Angeles Times

While we're toasting Leno's bill, we can't help but wonder what the ABC might take up next.

Huffington Post

St . Patricks Day is this weekend, and this year we'se toasting by savoring the EmeralDaysle's sisnathis beer style in our glass and on our plate.

Huffington Post

We're toasting with champagne this week to acknowledge the achievement that the nations of the world have recognized the Arctic Ocean's special fragility.

Huffington Post

3 00pm: We've got our first try at the Frozen S'more and we're toasting it and smoking the sticks, and the whole kitchen smells like a camp ground.

Huffington Post

Anyway, there we were, toasting with pot stickers when I heard one of the guys yell out, "Hey, can I help you?" We all turned at the same time to see who he was talking to.

Huffington Post

So, when we're toasting this year, raise a glass of respect for the truly accomplished artists who bring us such joy and meaning through music, making us proud to be human beings.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we are toasting" when you want to convey a sense of celebration or acknowledgment, particularly when involving a shared drink or gesture of honor. It adds a touch of festivity to your writing.

Common error

Be mindful of the context to avoid unintentional ambiguity. "Toast" can also mean "ruined", so ensure your sentence clearly indicates the celebratory meaning when you use "we are toasting".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we are toasting" primarily functions as a declarative statement indicating a current action. It asserts that a group is currently engaged in the act of toasting, whether literally with drinks or figuratively in celebration. Ludwig confirms this usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we are toasting" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, primarily found in news and media contexts. As Ludwig indicates, its main function is to declare a celebratory or honorific action being performed by a group. While versatile, it's important to consider the potential double meaning of "toast", which can also imply ruin or failure. By being mindful of the context, writers can effectively use "we are toasting" to convey festivity and collective recognition. Alternatives such as "we are celebrating" or "we are raising a glass to" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are celebrating

Replaces "toasting" with a more general term for acknowledging a positive event.

we are drinking to

Directly states the act of drinking in celebration.

we are raising a glass to

Specifies the action of lifting a glass in honor of someone or something.

we are honoring

Focuses on showing respect or admiration, removing the celebratory aspect of drinking.

we are acknowledging

Highlights the act of recognizing or accepting something, often in a formal setting.

we are commemorating

Implies a formal act of remembering an event or person.

we are saluting

Suggests a gesture of respect or admiration, not necessarily involving a beverage.

we are cheering

Emphasizes the act of expressing enthusiasm and support.

we are doomed

This phrase shifts the meaning to impending failure or disaster, based on the alternate meaning of "toast".

we are finished

Indicates the completion or end of something, aligning with the negative connotation of "toast" as ruined.

FAQs

How can I use "we are toasting" in a sentence?

You can use "we are toasting" to describe a celebratory action, such as "We are toasting the happy couple with champagne" or, using its alternative meaning of being doomed, such as "If we don't act now, "we are doomed"".

What can I say instead of "we are toasting"?

You can use alternatives like "we are celebrating", "we are raising a glass to", or "we are honoring" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "we are toasting" in formal writing?

Yes, "we are toasting" can be used in formal writing, particularly when describing a celebratory event or acknowledgment. However, consider the tone and audience to ensure it fits the overall context.

What's the difference between "we are toasting" and "we are proposing a toast"?

"We are toasting" describes the act of celebrating or honoring, while "we are proposing a toast" refers to the act of suggesting or introducing a toast. The former is the action, and the latter is the suggestion to perform that action.