we were failing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were failing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where a group or individual was not succeeding in a particular task or goal in the past. Example: "Despite our best efforts, we were failing to meet the project deadlines, which led to increased stress among the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

We were failing.

The New York Times

"Clearly, we were failing with the other drugs".

The New York Times

We were told that we were failing our students.

The Guardian

"And they would tell us if we were failing or passing.

The New York Times

With the exception of safety, where Continental had always had a strong record, we were failing miserably on all counts.

Harvard Business Review

client: When a preemptable task wasn't preempted (e.g. because it hadn't finished its time slice) we were failing to mark it as scheduled.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

If we fail to support them, we are failing ourselves.

The Guardian

"We have failed with Russia and we are failing with China," he said.

The Guardian

We are failing them.

The New York Times

We're failing big time.

University of California, Berkeley

If so, we are failing shamefully.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were failing", ensure the context clearly indicates what "we" refers to and what the specific failure was. Providing concrete examples strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "we were failing" without specifying the area of failure. Being specific prevents ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were failing" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It indicates an ongoing state of not succeeding or meeting expectations at some point in the past. This is confirmed by Ludwig, which identifies the phrase as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

21%

Science

15%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were failing" is a grammatically sound way to describe a past state of unsuccessful activity, as validated by Ludwig. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Academic sources, indicating a neutral register suitable for describing situations requiring assessment or change. To enhance clarity, always specify the area of failure when using this phrase. Alternative phrases like "we did not succeed" or "we were falling short" can provide nuance depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we didn't succeed

This alternative shifts the focus to the lack of achievement.

we were not successful

This alternative uses a more formal tone to express a lack of success.

we were falling short

This alternative emphasizes the idea of not meeting expectations or standards.

we weren't measuring up

This alternative highlights the failure to meet a specific benchmark or requirement.

we were underperforming

This alternative focuses on a lower-than-expected level of performance.

we were losing ground

This alternative suggests a decline or loss of progress compared to others.

we were ineffectual

This alternative points out a lack of effectiveness or impact.

we were proving inadequate

This alternative emphasizes a demonstrated lack of capability.

our efforts were in vain

This alternative underscores the futility and lack of positive results from the efforts made.

we were not up to the task

This alternative directly states the inability to handle the situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "we were failing" to describe a past situation where your team or organization was not achieving its goals. For example, "Despite our efforts, "we were failing" to meet the quarterly sales targets."

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

You can use alternatives like "we did not succeed", "we were falling short", or "we were underperforming" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "we were failing" or "we failed"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "We failed" implies a completed action, while "we were failing" suggests an ongoing process of failure in the past.

What's the difference between "we were failing" and "we were struggling"?

"We were failing" implies a more definitive lack of success, whereas "we were struggling" suggests difficulty and effort, but not necessarily complete failure. One might say, "We were struggling, but "we were failing" to get any positive results."