we were doing

USAGE SUMMARY

"we were doing" is a correct part of a sentence that can be used in written English.
For example, "We were doing our best to finish the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were doing well.

Columbia University

We were doing everything.

The New York Times - Sports

We were doing fine.

The New York Times - Sports

"We were doing pushups.

The Guardian - Film

We were doing acting exercises.

The New Yorker

"We were doing our thing".

The New York Times - Sports

We were doing something new.

Princeton University

We were doing it together.

The Washington Post

"We were doing everything well.

The Guardian - Sport

"We were doing so well.

The Guardian

We were doing the naming.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were doing" to describe ongoing actions or activities in the past. Ensure the context clearly indicates the time frame you are referring to.

Common error

Avoid abruptly switching to the present tense after using "we were doing". Maintain consistency in past tense to avoid confusing the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were doing" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action that was in progress in the past. This continuous aspect highlights the ongoing nature of the activity at a specific time. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66.1%

Academia

16.9%

Science

16.9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were doing" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe ongoing actions in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news, academic and science. When writing, it's crucial to maintain tense consistency and choose the phrase when you intend to highlight an action that was in progress. For alternative expressions, consider phrases like "we were working on" or "we engaged in" depending on the desired level of formality. Avoid abrupt tense shifts to ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were working on

Focuses on the effort and development involved in a task.

we had been performing

Uses "performing" to emphasize a sustained or repeated action in the past.

we were in the process of

Emphasizes that an action was underway but not necessarily completed.

we engaged in

More formal, emphasizing involvement or participation in an activity.

we were taking part in

Highlights participation in an event or activity.

we were occupied with

Highlights the state of being busy with a task or activity.

we were handling

Implies managing or dealing with something, often a problem or situation.

we undertook

Formal and suggests a deliberate or planned action.

we were executing

Formal, implies carrying out a plan or order.

we were fulfilling

Suggests meeting a requirement or expectation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we were doing" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "we engaged in" or "we undertook", depending on the specific context and the action you are describing.

What is a simple alternative to "we were doing"?

Simpler alternatives include "we were working on" or "we had been performing", which are more direct and easier to understand in everyday conversation.

When is it appropriate to use "we were doing" instead of "we did"?

"We were doing" emphasizes an ongoing action in the past, while "we did" indicates a completed action. Use "we were doing" when you want to highlight the process or duration of the activity.

How does the context affect the choice between "we were doing" and "we were going to do"?

"We were doing" indicates an action that was in progress, while "we were going to do" suggests an intention or plan that may or may not have been carried out. The context should clarify whether the action was actually started.