we were breaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were breaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action in the past, often referring to breaking something or a situation that was deteriorating. Example: "As we were breaking the news to her, we could see the shock on her face."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were breaking new ground".

The New York Times

"We were breaking everyone else's mold".

The New York Times

"We were told we were breaking fixed rules.

The Guardian

We were breaking each other's serve easier than holding.

The Guardian - Sport

We were breaking new ground here—our attorneys had never seen a structure like this.

Harvard Business Review

We were breaking off 4- and 5- and 6-yard runs.

The New York Times

"We were breaking a lot of furniture, so we decided to come here," he said.

The New York Times

"At the time, we were breaking every code they had," he said.

The Guardian

"Everywhere we went, we were breaking out the tape measure, measuring doorways diagonally and horizontally.

The New York Times

If you'd known we were breaking into someone's house?" "No, of course not," he says.

The New Yorker

"We were breaking 90% of the German traffic through '41 to '45.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were breaking", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being broken – whether it's a physical object, a rule, or a record. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the clarity of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "we were breaking" without specifying what exactly was being broken. Vague usage can confuse the reader and weaken the impact of your statement. Always provide context to clarify the meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were breaking" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense, indicating an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts ranging from rule-breaking to innovation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were breaking" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe ongoing actions in the past. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. Its meaning ranges from violating rules to pioneering new ground. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what is being broken and consider alternative phrases like "we were violating" or "we were pioneering" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were violating

This alternative focuses on the act of contravening rules, laws, or agreements.

we were breaching

This suggests a more formal or serious transgression, often involving contracts or duties.

we were defying

This emphasizes a deliberate and open resistance to authority or norms.

we were pioneering

This highlights the act of creating or discovering something new, often involving risk.

we were innovating

This emphasizes the creation and implementation of new methods or ideas.

we were deteriorating

This focuses on a process of decline or decay.

we were collapsing

This emphasizes a sudden and complete failure or breakdown.

we were crumbling

This suggests a gradual and progressive disintegration.

we were splitting

This indicates a division or separation into parts.

we were shattering

This implies a forceful and complete breaking into many pieces.

FAQs

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

You can use "we were breaking" to describe an action in progress, such as "We were breaking the rules" or "We were breaking new ground".

What can I say instead of "we were breaking"?

Alternatives include "we were violating", "we were defying", or "we were pioneering", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "we was breaking"?

No, the correct form is "we were breaking". "We" is a plural pronoun and requires the plural form of the verb "to be", which is "were".

What's the difference between "we were breaking" and "we broke"?

"We were breaking" describes an ongoing action in the past, while "we broke" describes a completed action in the past. For example, "We were breaking the record" suggests the act of breaking the record was in progress, while "We broke the record" indicates that the record has been broken.