we were collecting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were collecting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a past activity. For example, "We were collecting shells from the shore when the tide started coming in."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

"We were collecting bits and pieces and putting limbs together".

The New York Times

"I saw frogs dying as we were collecting them.

Independent

Below are two examples to establish the genuine nature of the data we were collecting.

Cornell University

We can layer up in an intriguing, Nordic way, as if we were collecting kindling.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So the metrics data we were collecting wasn't really being used – it was a frustrating cycle.

The Guardian

The increase in skin conductance caused by the video also gave us new confidence in the data we were collecting.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

We are collecting underway data.

The New York Times

We are collecting reports from witnesses.

The Guardian

"We are collecting grease," Mr. Ballard said.

The New York Times

"They know we're collecting renewable resources".

The New York Times

Now we're collecting facts, we're reviewing those options.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were collecting" to clearly describe a past, ongoing action of gathering or accumulating items, data, or information. This phrasing works well in reports, narratives, and research contexts.

Common error

While grammatically correct, excessively using passive voice when "we were collecting" is more appropriate can make your writing sound less direct. For example, instead of "The data was being collected by us", use "We were collecting the data."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were collecting" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past continuous action. It describes an action of gathering or accumulating something that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

31%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were collecting" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to describe a past, ongoing action of gathering or accumulating. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. It's frequently found in news articles, academic papers, and scientific reports. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the ongoing nature of the collection and consider using more specific alternatives like "we gathered" or "we compiled" depending on the context. Avoid unnecessary passive voice constructions to maintain clarity and directness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we gathered

Simple past tense, indicating a completed act of gathering.

we accumulated

Emphasizes gradual increase over time.

we were amassing

Suggests collecting a large quantity.

we obtained

Focuses on acquiring something, not necessarily in a deliberate collection.

we were compiling

Suggests gathering information or data.

we assembled

Implies gathering components to form a whole.

we harvested

Specifically refers to gathering crops or natural resources.

we picked up

Suggests collecting items from a surface or location.

we were accruing

Highlights a gradual build-up of something, like interest or benefits.

we requisitioned

Indicates formally requesting and obtaining something.

FAQs

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

The phrase "we were collecting" indicates a past continuous action of gathering items or information. For example, "We were collecting data for our research project last summer."

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

You can use alternatives like "we gathered", "we accumulated", or "we were compiling", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "we were collected" instead of "we were collecting"?

No, "we were collected" implies that someone else gathered you, while "we were collecting" means you were the ones doing the gathering. The correct phrase depends on who is performing the action.

What's the difference between "we collected" and "we were collecting"?

"We collected" indicates a completed action in the past, while "we were collecting" describes an ongoing action in the past. For example, "We collected the data yesterday" versus "We were collecting data throughout the week".