we were arriving

USAGE SUMMARY

'we were arriving' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to express the idea that a group of people have been in transit and are now concluding their journey. For example, "We were arriving at the hotel at 10 p.m., exhausted from the long drive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

We were arriving under curfew.

The Guardian - Music

After five days and five nights, we learned we were arriving in a place called Auschwitz.

The New Yorker

By chance, we were arriving in Bronnoysund during the biennial Korfestivalen, or choir festival.

The New York Times

When we were arriving at those departments, it was almost like exploring a totally hidden land.

The New York Times

"When we were arriving at the Golden Globes, there were a bunch of handmaids outside," recalls Wiley, who plays Moira, rebellious best friend of the main protagonist Offred.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Tomás had been anxious that we were arriving around noon, for fear that we might not find the Samatenje at home or sober so late in the day.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

We are arriving at the core of the problem.

The New Yorker

We are arriving early to get good seats.

The New Yorker

"We're arriving at our goal, thanks to millions of Mexicans who have confronted PRI authoritarianism".

The New York Times

"We're arriving at an important part of the season in a good way".

The Guardian - Sport

"I think we're arriving at some reasonable compromises," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were arriving", ensure the context clearly indicates the destination or goal you are approaching. This helps avoid ambiguity and provides a clearer picture for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "we were arriving" when you actually mean "we had arrived". The former implies an ongoing process, while the latter indicates a completed action. For example, say "we had arrived at our destination" instead of "we were arriving at our destination" if you want to emphasize that you are already there.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were arriving" functions as a verb phrase, specifically in the past continuous tense. It describes an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past, indicating that a group was in the process of reaching a destination or point. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were arriving" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that describes the ongoing action of nearing a destination in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical soundness. It is frequently found in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business contexts. When using it, ensure that the context provides clarity about the destination or goal, and avoid confusing it with the completed action of "we arrived". Alternatives like "we approached" or "our arrival was imminent" can be used for variety or to adjust the formality of the language. This phrase is valuable for setting scenes and providing context within a narrative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were nearing arrival

Explicitly states that the arrival time is close.

we approached

Emphasizes the act of getting closer to a physical or metaphorical place.

we were pulling into

Describes the action of entering a specific area or location.

we neared

Highlights the diminishing distance to a destination.

we were on the verge of reaching

Highlights the imminence of reaching a place or state.

we were coming up on

Indicates an upcoming point or location in a more casual way.

our arrival was imminent

Shifts the focus to the arrival itself being close, rather than the action of arriving.

we were drawing near

Emphasizes the gradual reduction in distance.

we were closing in on

Indicates that the distance to a goal or destination is rapidly decreasing.

we reached the outskirts of

Focuses on reaching the outer boundaries of a place.

FAQs

How can I use "we were arriving" in a sentence?

"We were arriving" is used to describe the action of approaching or nearing a destination. For example, "We were arriving at the airport when we got the call."

What's the difference between "we were arriving" and "we arrived"?

"We were arriving" describes the process of approaching a destination, while "we arrived" indicates the completed action of reaching the destination. "We were arriving" suggests a continuous action in the past, whereas "we arrived" is a simple past tense statement.

Is there a more formal way to say "we were arriving"?

Formal alternatives include "we approached", "we neared", or "our arrival was imminent".

What are some situations where using "we were arriving" is appropriate?

This phrase is suitable when describing a journey, a process of reaching a conclusion, or nearing a specific point in time. It's useful for setting a scene or providing context to an event that happened during the approach.