we were being

USAGE SUMMARY

'we were being' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You would use it to express something that was happening in the past, for example, "We were being careful not to startle the wildlife."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

But we were being childish.

The New Yorker

We were being followed, constantly.

The New Yorker

We were being romantic.

The Guardian - Opinion

We were being overrun".

The New Yorker

This weapon we were being prodded with.

The Guardian

We were being terrorized by robins.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

"We were were out at the time.

BBC

we were, are, shall.

Huffington Post

We're being tested.

Independent

"We're being brave.

The New York Times

We are being disrespected.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were being", ensure the passive voice is appropriate and clearly identifies the actor performing the action. This makes the sentence more informative and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "we were being" excessively, as it can make your writing sound indirect and less engaging. In some cases, switching to the active voice can improve clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were being" functions as a passive construction indicating an action that was performed on the subject (“we”). This is based on the examples found by Ludwig, where “we” are the recipients of actions like “attacked”, “followed”, or “taught”. The Ludwig AI confirms that is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were being" is a very common passive voice construction used to describe a past action performed upon the subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used, especially in news and media. The phrase implies that "we" were the recipients of an action, and it is important to use active voice to maintain the sentence informative and avoid ambiguity. While it's a useful construction, be mindful of overuse to keep your writing direct and engaging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were made to

Stresses external force or coercion.

we were subjected to

Highlights being forced to experience something, often unpleasant.

we were exposed to

Focuses on being introduced or subjected to something.

we underwent

Focuses on enduring or experiencing something, emphasizing the process.

we were faced with

Indicates confronting a situation or challenge.

we experienced

A more general way of saying something happened to us.

we were in receipt of

Focuses on formally receiving of something.

we were in the process of

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action.

we had the experience of

Highlights personal encounter or feeling

we found ourselves

Implies a surprising or unexpected situation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we were being" to use active voice?

To switch from passive to active voice, identify the actor performing the action. For example, instead of "we were being followed", you could say "they followed us".

What does "we were being" imply in a sentence?

The phrase "we were being" indicates that the subject (we) was the recipient of an action, rather than the performer. This often implies an external force or influence.

Is there a difference between saying "we were" and "we were being"?

Yes. "We were" typically describes a state of being (e.g., "we were happy"), while "we were being" indicates an action being done to the subject (e.g., "we were being interviewed").

Which is more formal, "we were being" or an active voice alternative?

The formality depends on the context. While "we were being" isn't inherently informal, it can sometimes sound less direct than its active voice counterpart. Choose the option that best suits your desired tone and clarity.