we were exiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were exiting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of leaving a place or situation in the past. Example: "As the meeting concluded, we were exiting the conference room when the fire alarm went off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

As we were exiting the backdoor we noticed him down the hall.

The Guardian

A few months ago, I saw an attendant cleaning up after passengers as we were exiting.

The New York Times

The only time we'd use the public equity markets now is if we were exiting the business.

Forbes

"They were kicking easy points, or even just pinging the ball back after a simple knock on and we were exiting off our own five-metre line time and time again.

BBC

As we were exiting the Club, I heard one gentleman whispering to another.

Huffington Post

As we were exiting the plane to my immediate right I saw Jasper Schuringa being attended to by paramedics and police, his hands already wrapped in bandages from what appeared to be intense burns.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

So we are exiting a period of fiscal stimulus and entering a period of fiscal consolidation.

The New York Times

We are exiting categories that don't generate any substantial profit for us".

Independent

This week, our first downtown, we're exiting unfamiliar subway stations via the wrong stairwells and blinking in a strange abundance of daylight and saltier air.

The New Yorker

Sir Keir Starmer, Labour's Brexit spokesman, said it was vital that cooperation with EU nations was maintained in the fight against terrorism and international crime: "That will be difficult now that we are exiting the EU.

The Guardian

"We're exiting two papacies characterized by the return to great discipline and the control of doctrines," Mr. Boff, 74, a former Franciscan priest, wrote during the pope's visit.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were exiting" to describe the process of leaving a specific location or situation. This phrase is appropriate for news reports or descriptive narratives when detailing movement.

Common error

Avoid using "exited" when you mean "were exiting". "Exited" implies a completed action, whereas "were exiting" suggests an action in progress at a specific time in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were exiting" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past continuous action. It describes a group's ongoing action of leaving a place or situation at a specific moment in the past. Examples from Ludwig show its use in describing departures from buildings or events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Unknown

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were exiting" is a grammatically correct and neutrally-toned verb phrase used to describe the continuous action of a group leaving a place or situation in the past. Ludwig examples indicate its common usage in news and media contexts. While not particularly frequent, it provides a clear and descriptive way to narrate departures. The use of the phrase is best suited for descriptive narratives where the action of leaving is relevant to the context. When writing, be mindful to use "were exiting" to specify that you are talking about an action in progress in the past. Alternatives such as "we were leaving" can be considered for similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were leaving

This alternative directly replaces "exiting" with "leaving", indicating a simple departure.

we were departing

This is a more formal synonym for leaving or exiting.

we were on our way out

This emphasizes the act of moving towards an exit.

we were going out

This option implies leaving a place, often for social or recreational purposes.

we were withdrawing

This suggests a more deliberate and potentially strategic retreat.

we were pulling out

This suggests a planned removal or disengagement from something.

we were retreating

This term implies moving back, often from a position of conflict or challenge.

we were clearing out

This implies removing items while leaving.

we were finishing up

This alternative refers to completing an activity before leaving.

we were concluding

This is a formal way to indicate that we were ending something.

FAQs

What does "we were exiting" mean?

The phrase "we were exiting" means that a group of people was in the process of leaving a place or situation at some point in the past.

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

You can use alternatives like "we were leaving", "we were departing", or "we were on our way out" depending on the context.

Is "we were exiting" formal or informal?

The phrase "we were exiting" is relatively neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, "we were departing" might be preferred in more formal situations.

How to use "we were exiting" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "As the meeting concluded, we were exiting the building when the fire alarm sounded."