we were defending

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were defending" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a past action where a group was protecting or standing up for something. Example: "During the debate, we were defending our position on climate change against opposing arguments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

"We were defending Montenegro's most important values".

The New York Times

"We were defending much too deep and we should have been higher in the field.

The Guardian - Sport

As a youngster of 21, I thought we were defending the world against fascism.

The New Yorker

We were defending vulnerable victims, people who didn't have anyone to speak up for them.

The New Yorker

And yet every month I spent in Malaya confirmed to me that we were defending an empire of injustice.

The Guardian - Books

The ship's captain, who serves under the admiral, said: "It used to be that we were defending a vital national interest, like in Iraq and Kuwait.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

So we're defending ourselves".

The New York Times

"We're defending our country".

The New York Times

We're defending our rights.

The New York Times

We are defending them.

The New York Times

As a team we are defending better".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were defending" to clearly indicate a past action of protecting something from harm or opposition. Ensure the context provides clarity on what was being defended and why.

Common error

Avoid confusing "we were defending" (past continuous) with "we have defended" (present perfect). Use "we were defending" to describe an ongoing action in the past, not a completed action with present relevance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were defending" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past continuous action. It expresses that a group ("we") was in the process of protecting or supporting something. Ludwig AI examples illustrate its use in various contexts, from defending land to defending principles.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were defending" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that describes a past continuous action of protection or support. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is most commonly found in news and media, formal writing, and scientific contexts. When using "we were defending", ensure that the tense aligns with the timeframe and that the context clearly defines what was being protected. Alternatives like "we were protecting" or "we stood in defense of" can offer slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were protecting

Substitutes "defending" with "protecting", highlighting the act of safeguarding something.

we were safeguarding

Emphasizes the preservation aspect of defending.

we were supporting

Offers a general term for providing assistance or approval.

we stood in defense of

Replaces "defending" with a more formal expression, emphasizing a firm stance.

we upheld

Focuses on maintaining or supporting a principle or value.

we were championing

Implies strong support and promotion of a cause or person.

we were advocating for

Highlights active support and promotion of a cause or idea.

we were backing

Suggests support, often in a less formal or direct way.

we were justifying

Shifts the focus to providing reasons or explanations for an action or belief.

we were on the defensive

Focuses on reacting to an attack, physically or verbally

FAQs

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

Use "we were defending" to describe a past action where a group was protecting something. For example, "During the debate, "we were defending" our position on climate change".

What phrases are similar to "we were defending"?

Similar phrases include "we were protecting", "we were safeguarding", or "we stood in defense of".

Is it correct to say "we defended" instead of "we were defending"?

Both are grammatically correct but have slightly different meanings. "We defended" implies a completed action, while "we were defending" suggests an ongoing action in the past. Choose the phrase that best fits the context.

When should I use "we were defending" vs. "we are defending"?

"We were defending" refers to a past action, while "we are defending" indicates a present action. Use the tense that accurately reflects the timing of the defense.