we were feeding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were feeding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action in the past, typically referring to the act of providing food to someone or something. Example: "While we were feeding the animals at the shelter, we noticed how much they enjoyed the attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

We were feeding the animals paper and cardboard, anything they could eat.

The Guardian

"We have 11 boilers, so we were feeding in a lot of fuel," Ms. Farrago said.

The New York Times

"We were feeding off each other, and it felt great," Crane said.

The New York Times

They stayed away from pharmaceuticals, so we didn't have to worry that we were feeding Dexter and his baby brother, Elliot, stray hormones or antibiotics.

The New York Times

As long as we were feeding paper into a typewriter, this anxiety was still present to our minds, and was revealed in the pointillism of Wite-Out, or even in the dapple of letters that were darker, pressed in confidence, as opposed to the lighter ones, pressed more hesitantly.

The New Yorker

"Before that we were feeding about 35 to 40 people a week.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

As athletes we were fed up.

The Guardian - Sport

We were fed up and we did something about it".

The New York Times - Sports

"We were fed up," running back Tiki Barber said.

The New York Times - Sports

We were being ripped off everywhere, and we were fed up.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We were fed up," Tomás Bello Flores, a community policeman, told me.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were feeding" to describe an ongoing or habitual action of providing food or resources in the past. It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the continuous nature of the action.

Common error

Avoid using "we were feeding" to describe a completed, one-time action in the past. In such cases, "we fed" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were feeding" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past continuous action. It describes an ongoing action of providing food or sustenance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Examples show it used in contexts ranging from literal feeding to metaphorical contribution.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were feeding" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that describes an ongoing action of providing sustenance or contributing to something in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers examples from various sources, predominantly news and media. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the context to avoid misusing the tense. Alternatives such as "we provided nourishment to" or "we supplied food to" can be used to vary your language. By understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate usage, you can effectively incorporate "we were feeding" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we supplied food to

Uses "supplied food" as a direct substitute for "feeding", emphasizing the act of providing sustenance.

we provided nourishment to

Replaces "feeding" with a more formal and descriptive term, "provided nourishment".

we were giving sustenance to

Emphasizes providing what is needed to sustain life, not just food.

we were nurturing

Suggests a more caring and supportive approach to providing sustenance.

we helped sustain

Focuses on the act of maintaining or supporting something.

we supported

A more general term for providing assistance or resources.

we contributed to the growth of

Shifts the focus from direct feeding to a broader sense of contributing to development.

we fostered the development of

Similar to contributing, but with an emphasis on promoting growth.

we fueled

Implies providing energy or resources to something, not just food.

we maintained

Focuses on the act of keeping something in its current state.

FAQs

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

The phrase "we were feeding" indicates a continuous action in the past. For example, "We were feeding the stray cats every evening last summer" shows a repeated action.

What's the difference between "we were feeding" and "we fed"?

"We were feeding" implies a continuous or repeated action in the past, while "we fed" indicates a completed action. For instance, "We were feeding the birds all morning" versus "We fed the birds and then left".

What are some alternatives to "we were feeding"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "we provided nourishment to", "we supplied food to", or "we were giving sustenance to".

Is "we were feeding" formal or informal?

The phrase "we were feeding" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the overall tone and purpose of your writing.