we were checking

USAGE SUMMARY

'we were checking' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it as part of a past tense narrative, for example: "We were checking the accounts when we realised there were some discrepancies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Our guide showed up as we were checking in.

University of California, Berkeley

We were checking into our hotel and there was confusion about our room.

The Guardian - Books

"We were checking out the Twin Towers when we took off," said Mr. Speers, 34.

The New York Times

We were actually playing Portland in our own final game, so we were checking in throughout.

The Guardian - Sport

"We were checking our smartphones for the score the entire time we were shooting portraits".

The New York Times

There was another occasion in Scotland when there was a slight raising of eyebrows as we were checking in.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

"We were checked with metal detectors.

The New York Times

"We're checking signals.

The New York Times

We are checking on others.

The New York Times

We're checking out these reports now.

The Guardian

We are checking all clues and information we get".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were checking" to describe a past action of verifying or examining something. It's appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, as shown by its wide use in news, academic papers, and casual conversation. For example, "We were checking the data for inconsistencies" is a clear and effective way to convey that you were in the process of verification.

Common error

Avoid using "we are checking" when referring to a completed action in the past. "We are checking the results" implies the action is ongoing, while "we were checking" indicates it has already occurred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were checking" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It indicates an action of verifying, examining, or inspecting that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig show its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

17%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were checking" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase in the past continuous tense, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It conveys the action of verifying, examining, or inspecting something in the past. This phrase is versatile and appears across a wide range of contexts, including News & Media and Academia. While the register is generally neutral, it is vital to use the correct tense to avoid errors. For alternative phrasing, you could say "we inspected", "we examined", or "we were verifying" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. The examples curated by Ludwig illustrate the breadth and depth of its applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were verifying

Emphasizes confirming the accuracy or truth of something.

we examined

Suggests a detailed and careful investigation.

we inspected

Replaces "checking" with a more formal term for careful examination.

we were looking into

Indicates an informal investigation or inquiry.

we were reviewing

Indicates a formal assessment or evaluation.

we were scrutinizing

Highlights a very thorough and critical examination.

we were assessing

Focuses on evaluating or judging the value or quality.

we were monitoring

Implies ongoing observation over a period of time.

we were overseeing

Suggests a supervisory role in examining something.

we were auditing

Denotes a systematic and independent examination of records.

FAQs

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

"We were checking" is used to describe a past action of verifying or examining something, for example: "We were checking the files for errors yesterday."

What's a more formal alternative to "we were checking"?

For more formal situations, you can use alternatives like "we inspected" or "we examined", which suggest a more thorough investigation.

Is "we were checking on" the same as "we were checking"?

While similar, "we were checking on" often implies a focus on well-being or condition, whereas "we were checking" is a broader term for verification or examination. The phrase "we were checking on" is generally used to ensure someone or something is okay.

What can I say instead of "we were checking" when referring to data?

When referring to data, you can use more specific terms such as "we were verifying", "we were analyzing", or "we were reviewing" depending on the context.