we were brainstorming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'we were brainstorming' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used whenever you are discussing a creative process or session of idea generation and sharing. For example: "After finishing our project proposal, we were brainstorming potential funding sources for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"We were brainstorming one day.

The New York Times

"We were brainstorming, and I thought, 'Gee, wouldn't that be a funny name?' " Mr. Weiner said.

The New York Times

We were brainstorming mostly high-tech projects that involved things like guerrilla projection and drones/copters.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

When we were brainstorming Hollow Earth the idea of being able to bring drawings to life was something we thought would be really cool to do.

The Guardian

"We were brainstorming about how to reach out to these women, discussing the problems and trying to find a solution," said Marianne Spohner of the Office for Multicultural Affairs in Frankfurt.

The New York Times

"As we were brainstorming what exactly we meant by that, our director Alex Peacock brought us these Rorschach blotch smoke puffs and created 'Fantasia'-style animations of the band, and we were off and running".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

For most of the first session, we're brainstorming ideas.

The Washington Post

"We are close to the engineers of Formula E and we are brainstorming," he said.

The New York Times

We're brainstorming her applications, and the plan is to call her "agile".

The Guardian - Tech

When we are brainstorming ideas to other people's problems, we're inspired; we have a free flow of ideas to spread out on the table without judgment, second-guessing, or overthinking.

Harvard Business Review

It is still unclear whether the youth will be involved, but we are brainstorming a number of potential alternative forms of communication through which the Press Pass co-design team can communicate with youth and adult community members.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were brainstorming" when describing a past event where a group actively generated ideas together. It's especially useful for setting the scene or explaining the origin of a plan or concept.

Common error

Don't use "we were brainstorming" as a general term for any meeting or discussion. Brainstorming specifically implies an open session focused on generating a wide range of ideas, not just problem-solving or decision-making.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were brainstorming" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past continuous action. It describes a group activity focused on generating ideas collaboratively. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts, showcasing the active process of idea creation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were brainstorming" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a past collaborative effort focused on generating ideas. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, and its usage spans various contexts, including news, academia, and business. While alternatives exist for different levels of formality, the phrase is generally suitable for neutral registers. When writing, remember that "we were brainstorming" implies an active session of idea generation, not just a general discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we held a brainstorming session

Uses a noun phrase to describe the brainstorming action

we ideated together

Shorter version to express the brainstorming concept.

we collaborated on ideas

Focuses on the act of collaboration during the idea-generation process.

we conceived ideas collectively

Highlights the collective origin and ownership of the ideas.

we jointly developed concepts

Highlights the joint effort in creating or refining ideas.

we worked together to generate ideas

General alternative phrase that shows the action of generate ideas with other people.

we engaged in creative thinking together

Emphasizes the creative aspect and shared nature of the thought process.

we were workshopping ideas

This expression shows brainstorming in a practical or hands-on way

we participated in an ideas session

Specifically indicates a structured meeting for idea generation.

we put our heads together to develop ideas

Indicates a more intense brainstorming effort

FAQs

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

You can use "we were brainstorming" to describe a past event where a group collaboratively generated ideas, for example, "We were brainstorming potential marketing strategies for the new product."

What are some alternatives to "we were brainstorming"?

You can use alternatives like "we collaborated on ideas", "we ideated together", or "we held a brainstorming session" depending on the context.

Is "brainstorming" a formal or informal term?

"Brainstorming" is generally considered a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "jointly developed concepts" might be preferred in certain professional settings.

What's the difference between "we were brainstorming" and "we were discussing"?

"We were brainstorming" implies a specific activity focused on generating new ideas, whereas "we were discussing" is a more general term that simply means talking about a topic. "We were discussing" could include problem-solving, planning, or simply sharing information.