we were evaluating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were evaluating" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a process of assessment or analysis that took place in the past. Example: "During the meeting last week, we were evaluating the effectiveness of our marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

We were evaluating him.

The New York Times

We didn't talk endlessly about Arkansas when we were evaluating Governor Clinton.

The New York Times

But must we forever judge the future of American Judaism as if we were evaluating the health of an endangered species?

The New York Times

He added: We just had many more teams with great seasons but with very different paths to get to them to the point we were evaluating them.

The New York Times

We were evaluating whether to bring a VC, but we found Luxasia added a lot more value.

TechCrunch

"The decision was certainly not made by Brexit, but certainly when we were evaluating all the different countries across Europe the uncertainty was a factor," Collison said.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

We were evaluated by a pediatric triage nurse, and then had a smooth registration process.

Huffington Post

We're evaluating".

The New York Times

"We are evaluating the results".

The New York Times

"But we're evaluating them more closely.

The New York Times

Como: "We're evaluating this situation".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were evaluating", ensure the context clearly defines the criteria used for evaluation. This provides transparency and strengthens the validity of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "we are evaluating" when referring to a completed past action. Ensure the past continuous tense is appropriate by confirming the evaluation process occurred over a period of time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were evaluating" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It describes an action of assessment or analysis that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig confirms its correct and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were evaluating" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe a past action of assessment or analysis. According to Ludwig, its flexibility allows it to fit into various contexts, especially in News & Media and Scientific fields. Alternative phrases include "we were assessing" and "we were reviewing", which can be used depending on the specific nuances you wish to convey. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies the criteria for evaluation, and avoid using it when referring to a completed, one-time action. In short, remember that "we were evaluating" highlights a process underway in the past, and choose your words precisely to match the meaning you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were assessing

Replaces "evaluating" with "assessing", indicating a similar process of judgment or appraisal.

we were reviewing

Substitutes "evaluating" with "reviewing", suggesting a more comprehensive examination.

we were examining

Replaces "evaluating" with "examining", implying a close and detailed inspection.

we were analyzing

Substitutes "evaluating" with "analyzing", focusing on breaking down information to understand it better.

we were considering

Replaces "evaluating" with "considering", indicating a deliberation or thought process.

we were investigating

Substitutes "evaluating" with "investigating", implying a systematic or formal inquiry.

we were appraising

Replaces "evaluating" with "appraising", suggesting an estimation of value or quality.

we were determining

Substitutes "evaluating" with "determining", suggesting an attempt to find out or establish something exactly.

we were judging

Replaces "evaluating" with "judging", implying a more subjective assessment based on personal standards.

we were checking out

Substitutes "evaluating" with a more casual phrase meaning inspecting or looking into something.

FAQs

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

Use "we were evaluating" to describe a process of assessment or analysis that took place in the past. For instance, "We were evaluating the data collected last quarter to inform our future strategies".

What are some alternatives to "we were evaluating"?

You can use alternatives like "we were assessing", "we were reviewing", or "we were analyzing" depending on the specific context.

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

The correct tense depends on the context. "We are evaluating" indicates a current, ongoing process, while "we were evaluating" indicates a process that occurred in the past.

What is the difference between "we were evaluating" and "we evaluated"?

"We were evaluating" suggests a process that took place over a period of time, while "we evaluated" implies a completed action at a specific point in the past.