we were benefitting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were benefitting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the advantages or positive outcomes experienced by a group in the past. Example: "During the project, we were benefitting from the collaboration with our partners, which enhanced our overall results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

At the back of my mind was a thought I didn't even want to articulate — that we were benefitting from this tragedy.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We're benefitting from strong Chinese investment at the moment and there's a lot of international interest in our enterprise zone".

The Guardian

I believe we are benefitting communities in several ways.

Huffington Post

Quite the contrary, as I said, we are benefitting from digitization, we are embracing it, but we need certain rules that secure fairness in competition.

Huffington Post

"You were benefitting from an artificial restraint of trade.

The New Yorker

Frances O'Grady, general secretary of the TUC, said that only the 1% were benefitting from the recovery.

The Guardian

With the Baltimore experience, you really were almost touching the people who were benefitting from the work of the library.

The New Yorker

Medvedev also alleged that Turkish officials were benefitting from the Islamic State's illicit oil sales.

Vice

"Our work shows the automation of jobs – and a shift from brawn to brains - is well underway in London, but we appear to be benefitting not losing out," said Angus Knowles-Cutler, Deloitte vice chairman and London senior partner.

Independent

The increasingly viral nature of how we share news is benefitting Westboro, as well.

Huffington Post

If our workplace policies are really creating ideal conditions for productivity, aren't we the ones who are benefitting?

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were benefitting" to clearly indicate that a group experienced positive outcomes or advantages in the past. Ensure the context provides clarity on the source and nature of the benefit.

Common error

Avoid using "we were benefitting" to describe current or future situations. Use "we are benefitting" or "we will be benefitting" to maintain correct tense agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were benefitting" functions as a verb phrase indicating that a group was in the process of receiving advantages or positive outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were benefitting" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express that a group experienced advantages or positive outcomes in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts and carries a neutral tone suitable for general communication. When using the phrase, ensure correct tense agreement and consider alternative phrasing to more precisely convey the nature of the benefit received.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were profiting

Focuses on financial or material gain.

we were gaining

Emphasizes the act of acquiring or increasing something.

we were gaining advantages

Highlights the specific acquisition of beneficial circumstances.

we were reaping the rewards

Suggests enjoying the positive results of previous efforts.

we were on the receiving end

Indicates being the recipient of something positive, often unexpectedly.

we were thriving

Implies flourishing and growing stronger.

we were flourishing

Similar to thriving, but with a sense of abundance and vitality.

we were progressing

Emphasizes forward movement and improvement.

we were succeeding

Focuses on achieving desired outcomes or goals.

we were advancing

Indicates moving forward in a significant way.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we were benefitting" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "we were profiting" or "we were gaining advantages". The choice depends on the specific context and the nature of the benefit received.

Is there a difference between "we were benefitting" and "we benefitted"?

"We were benefitting" implies a continuous or ongoing state of receiving benefits, while "we benefitted" suggests a completed action of receiving benefits at a specific point in time. The continuous form highlights the duration of the advantage.

Can I use "we were benefitting" in a negative context?

While possible, it's less common. You might use it to express that you were wrongly gaining something, but it usually implies a positive reception. A clearer phrasing might be needed to convey negativity depending on the context.

What's the difference between "we were benefitting" and alternatives like "we were enjoying"?

The phrase "we were benefitting" suggests a tangible gain or advantage, while "we were enjoying" implies a pleasurable experience. "We were benefitting" carries a stronger sense of receiving something of value.