we were ending

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were ending" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the process of concluding or finishing something in the past. Example: "As the meeting progressed, we were ending our discussion on the budget and moving on to the next agenda item."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

We were ending.

The New York Times

"Here we were ending his career".

The New York Times - Sports

I cringe at that.5 We were ending the photo shoot, and I wanted to run out of there.

The New York Times - Magazine

We were ending what we had thought would be a quiet, conversational dinner in one of Connecticut's smart new restaurants.

The New York Times

"I am sad that the show is over but I've not had a bad night's sleep worrying that we were ending at the wrong time," says its creator, Vince Gilligan, who admitted he cried while writing the final episode.

The Guardian

If you relied on free, gossipy online channels to understand why we were ending the print edition, you got what you paid for: some jokes, some inaccurate observations about the state of our business, and maybe a 20% chance of seeing "Encyclopædia Britannica" spelled correctly.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"WE are ending the war on drivers who simply want to go about their daily business".

The Economist

We're ending another in Afghanistan.

The New York Times

We are ending here with [plays piano].

Yale University

We're ending a little bit earlier.

The New York Times

"The way we are ending the mission is very different.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were ending" to clearly indicate that a process, relationship, or event was in its final stages in the past. Ensure the context provides clarity on what exactly was concluding.

Common error

Avoid using "we were ending" when you mean "we ended". The former implies an ongoing process of ending, while the latter indicates a completed action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were ending" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense, indicating an action of concluding or terminating something that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate grammatical usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Academia

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were ending" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase in the past continuous tense. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes an action of concluding or terminating something that was in progress in the past. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Academia contexts, demonstrating a neutral register suitable for a variety of discussions. The examples showcase its usage in various scenarios, from ending wars to ending relationships. Alternative phrases like "we were concluding" or "we were finishing" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired. Avoid confusing it with "we ended", which indicates a completed action rather than an ongoing process of ending.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were concluding

Replaces "ending" with a more formal synonym, suggesting a deliberate and official completion.

we were finishing

Uses a more common synonym for "ending", indicating the completion of an activity or task.

we were ceasing

Emphasizes a stop or termination, often implying a more definitive and permanent conclusion.

we were terminating

Suggests a formal and often abrupt conclusion, typically used in professional or legal contexts.

we were wrapping up

Indicates a more casual and informal approach to concluding something, often suggesting a summary or final touches.

we were bringing to a close

Emphasizes the act of actively concluding something, suggesting a deliberate effort to finish.

we were putting an end to

Highlights the act of stopping or abolishing something, often implying a more forceful conclusion.

our time was drawing to a close

Shifts the focus to the passage of time and the natural conclusion of an event or period.

the end of our journey was near

Emphasizes the nearness of the end, often used in narrative or descriptive contexts.

our relationship was dissolving

Focuses on the gradual disintegration of a relationship, implying a slow and often painful conclusion.

FAQs

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

You can use "we were ending" to describe a past action that was in the process of concluding. For example, "As the meeting progressed, "we were ending" our discussion on the budget".

What's the difference between "we were ending" and "we ended"?

"We were ending" implies a process of concluding, while "we ended" suggests a completed action. "We were ending the project" suggests the project was in its final stages, whereas "we ended the project" indicates the project is completely finished.

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

You can use alternatives like "we were concluding", "we were finishing", or "we were ceasing" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "we were ending"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "we were ending" as it uses the past continuous tense to describe an action that was in progress in the past.