we were becoming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were becoming" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when describing a state of changing or evolving, for example: "We were becoming increasingly aware of the situation's complexity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"There was a huge dissonance between what we knew we were becoming and what we wanted to become," Mr. Wnek said.

The New York Times

I felt we were becoming friends.

The New York Times - Magazine

We were becoming friends of a sort.

The Guardian

A psychiatrist friend warned that we were becoming dangerously obsessed.

The New York Times - Books

We were becoming selfish, turning in on ourselves.

The Economist

"Until the suicide bombing happened, we were becoming friends again".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

"We are becoming mature now".

The New Yorker

Above all, we're becoming connected".

The New York Times - Travel

"We are becoming the soft-target".

The Economist

We are becoming more French".

The Guardian

Instead, we're becoming Mexico.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were becoming" to illustrate a gradual process of change, rather than a sudden transformation. This phrase works best when you want to show the evolution of a state or condition over time.

Common error

Avoid using "we were becoming" to describe a fixed state or an event that happened instantaneously. Ensure the context indicates a period of transition, not a completed action. Instead use: we became.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "we were becoming" is to act as a verb phrase indicating a continuous action in the past. It describes an ongoing process or state of transition. Ludwig AI examples show its usage in diverse contexts, always denoting a gradual change.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

9%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were becoming" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe a state of transition or development in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. The phrase carries a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal writing. When using "we were becoming", remember that it signifies a gradual process rather than an instantaneous change. Consider alternatives like "we were evolving into" or "we were transitioning towards" to fine-tune the meaning. However, avoid using "we were becoming" to describe static states or completed actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were evolving into

Specifically indicates the final state of the development.

we were developing into

Focuses on the progression from one state to another.

we began to evolve

Focuses on gradual development and growth.

we were in the process of turning into

Highlights the ongoing nature of the transformation.

we started to transform

Highlights the process of changing form or appearance.

we transitioned towards

Implies a deliberate shift in direction or state.

we commenced to be

Emphasizes the start of a new state or condition.

we were morphing into

Suggests a more dramatic or unexpected transformation.

we found ourselves transforming into

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the transformation.

we were getting to be

More colloquial way to express a gradual change in state.

FAQs

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

Use "we were becoming" to describe a gradual change or evolution over time. For instance, "We were becoming more aware of the challenges ahead."

What are some alternatives to "we were becoming"?

Consider using alternatives like "we were evolving into", "we were transitioning towards", or "we were developing into" to add nuance to your writing.

What's the difference between "we were becoming" and "we became"?

"We were becoming" implies a process of change, while "we became" suggests the change is complete. For example, "We were becoming friends" indicates a developing friendship, whereas "We became friends" means the friendship is established.

Is "we are becoming" grammatically different from "we were becoming"?

Yes, "we are becoming" describes a change happening now, whereas "we were becoming" describes a change that was happening in the past. For instance, "We are becoming more environmentally conscious" versus "We were becoming more environmentally conscious in the 1990s".