we were commuting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were commuting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of traveling to and from a place, typically work or school, during a specific time in the past. Example: "Yesterday, we were commuting to the office when we got caught in a traffic jam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Working from home is what's given me the extra time to spend with family or picking up and pursuing new hobbies or just sitting and reading, which my wife and I love to do but seldom had the time for when we were commuting for two-long hours, high-stress jobs to afford a lifestyle in the Bay Area.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Not only that, we're commuting.

The New York Times

Just as iPhone games fill those gaps when we're commuting, maybe smartwatch games will fill the even smaller gaps while we're waiting by the photocopier.

The Guardian - Tech

It happens to us every morning as we're commuting to work, we doze off and imagine we're among a throng of tanned, lean bodies flocking to the beach.

Huffington Post

Too often, we're locked in on our e-mail when we're out for a walk, or are neck deep into some podcast when we're commuting.

WikiHow

"But we finally got it out of them that they were commuting daily from Pennsylvania.

The New York Times

Their least enjoyable activities were commuting and working.

Behavior Genetics

"We've been commuting for 3 years and, quite honestly, if it hadn't been for that, I wouldn't have looked for a new job in the first place," he says.

Science Magazine

ThIs arthink originalot aboutred on VICE UK.

Vice

The sentences of 167 condemned inmates were commuted in 2003.

The New York Times

The sentences were commuted to one to four years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were commuting" to describe a past routine of traveling regularly between two places, typically home and work or school. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of the travel during a specific period.

Common error

Avoid using "we were commuting" to describe a single trip. This phrase implies a repeated action. Instead, use "we traveled" or "we went" for a one-time journey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were commuting" functions as a verb phrase describing a continuous action in the past. It specifically indicates the act of regularly traveling between two points, typically home and work or school. Ludwig indicates the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

24%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were commuting" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe a past routine of traveling between two locations. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. While the phrase is not exceedingly common, it appears in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When writing, remember that "we were commuting" implies a repeated action, not a single instance of travel. Alternative phrases, such as "we traveled back and forth", can be used to convey similar meanings, as appropriate. The phrase carries a neutral register, making it suitable for a range of writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we traveled back and forth

Replaces "commuting" with a more general term for repeated travel.

we went back and forth daily

Highlights the daily aspect of the travel routine.

we were traveling to work

Specifies the purpose of the commute, focusing on work-related travel.

we regularly made the journey

Rephrases "commuting" with a broader term for travel and emphasizes its consistent nature.

we journeyed regularly

Emphasizes the regularity of the travel, using a more formal term.

we traveled on a routine basis

Highlights the routine aspect of the travel, using slightly more formal language.

we made regular trips

Focuses on the act of making trips on a consistent basis.

we were in transit regularly

Highlights the state of being in transit as a regular occurrence.

we shuttled between locations

Suggests a frequent and rapid movement between two places.

we transported ourselves regularly

Replaces "commuting" with a more clinical and somewhat humorous description of travel.

FAQs

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

Use "we were commuting" to describe a past, ongoing routine of traveling between two places. For example, "When we lived in the city, "we were commuting" for over an hour each day."

What's the difference between "we were commuting" and "we traveled"?

"We were commuting" implies a regular routine of traveling between two points, whereas "we traveled" is a more general term that can refer to any instance of travel, whether it's a one-time trip or a recurring journey. For example: "we traveled" once to Italy last year.

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

Alternatives include "we traveled back and forth", "we were traveling to work", or "we journeyed regularly" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "we are commuting" instead of "we were commuting"?

Yes, "we are commuting" is correct, but it describes a present, ongoing action. "We were commuting" refers to a past, ongoing action. The correct tense depends on the timeframe you are describing.