we were finding

USAGE SUMMARY

"we were finding" is a perfectly grammatical part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when referring to a past action that was in progress before being interrupted or stopped. For example: We were finding our way home when we got lost in the woods.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We figured we could produce a platform that would find the same insights that we were finding at Causes".

TechCrunch

"We were finding 12 antibiotics a year.

The Guardian

"We were finding them dead everywhere".

The New York Times

"We were finding bodies the week before that," he said.

The New York Times

"I couldn't believe the amount of precognition we were finding.

The New Yorker

Oooh, just as we were finding him dead fearsome.

The Guardian - Sport

We were finding the open man wide open".

The New York Times - Sports

It seemed like earlier, we were finding ways to lose some games".

The New York Times

"We were finding things not just to do with Malia, but systemic things.

The Guardian

We were finding our feet a little bit on the first one".

The Guardian - Film

He was finding his own way, while we were finding ours.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were finding" to describe a past continuous action of discovering or noticing something, especially when the action was ongoing or interrupted.

Common error

Avoid using "we were finding" when a simple past tense like "we found" is more appropriate for completed actions. For example, use "we found a solution" instead of "we were finding a solution" if the solution has already been discovered.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were finding" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It describes an action of discovering, locating, or experiencing something that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig's examples showcase its versatility across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were finding" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe an ongoing process of discovery, observation, or detection in the past. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across a variety of contexts, including news, science, and academia. While appropriate for formal and informal settings, it is essential to use it when a simple past tense isn't enough. Related phrases include "we were discovering" and "we were identifying", which can be used as alternatives depending on the intended nuance. Therefore, understanding the context and choosing the right tense are keys to mastering "we were finding".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were discovering

Replaces 'finding' with 'discovering', emphasizing the act of uncovering something new.

we were identifying

Focuses on the act of recognizing or establishing what something is.

we were noticing

Emphasizes becoming aware of something through observation.

we were observing

Highlights the act of watching carefully to learn something.

we were detecting

Implies using special methods to discover something not easily noticed.

we were encountering

Stresses the experience of coming across something, often unexpectedly.

we were experiencing

Highlights the process of undergoing or feeling something.

we happened to find

Indicates that the finding was accidental or coincidental.

we came across

Similar to 'happened to find', suggesting an unplanned discovery.

we unearthed

Implies a deliberate or thorough search leading to a discovery.

FAQs

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

Use "we were finding" to describe an ongoing process of discovery in the past. For instance, "We were finding that the data supported our hypothesis."

What's the difference between "we were finding" and "we found"?

"We were finding" implies a continuous action in the past, while "we found" indicates a completed action. For example, "We were finding new evidence every day" versus "We found the missing keys."

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

You can use alternatives like "we were discovering", "we were identifying", or "we were noticing" depending on the specific context.

Is "we were finding" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "we were finding" is suitable for formal writing, especially in research reports or professional communications, where it describes an ongoing process of observation or discovery.