we were gathering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were gathering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that was taking place in the past, typically referring to the act of coming together or collecting something. Example: "As the sun began to set, we were gathering our supplies for the camping trip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Barnes: When the votes were over, we were gathering in the Roosevelt Room.

The New York Times - Magazine

That would be my ideal weekend, minus the fact that we were gathering because of a death.

The New York Times - Magazine

"The information we were gathering was meant to help us the next time we played a team," Walsh said.

The New York Times - Sports

Almost at once, the rumor flew that we were gathering to learn about the invasion, though precisely what no one could even guess.

The New Yorker

"We were gathering data on the incidence of calls made to and from his phone by people associated with him and others".

The New Yorker

She testified that ministers required surveillance of me and CND because of the support we were gathering in opposition to Cruise missiles being sited in UK.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"We are gathering further information".

The New York Times

We are gathering ourselves in Darayya today.

The Guardian

We're gathering full reaction here.

The Guardian

"We are gathering evidence," Mr. Batic said.

The New York Times

We're gathering information on how different demographics travel.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context clearly indicates what or whom "we" were gathering. Providing specifics enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "we were gathering" to describe a completed, one-time event in the past. For such events, use the simple past tense, such as "we gathered".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were gathering" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It describes an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples of similar usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

25%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were gathering" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an action in progress in the past. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is most frequently used in News & Media and Science contexts. It conveys an ongoing action of assembling or collecting, and its neutral register makes it suitable for various communication styles. When aiming for clarity, specify what was being gathered and avoid using this phrase for completed events. Alternatives such as "we assembled" or "we collected" are available for different nuances. The AI analysis supports the correctness and widespread usability of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were assembling

This is a more direct synonym, emphasizing the process of putting things together or preparing.

we assembled

This alternative replaces "were gathering" with a more direct verb indicating the action of coming together.

we convened

This implies a formal meeting or assembly for a specific purpose.

we congregated

This alternative suggests a formal or deliberate assembly of people.

we were compiling

This suggests the action of gathering information or data systematically.

we collected

This focuses on the act of accumulating items or information, rather than people.

we were mustering

Suggests gathering forces or resources, often in a military or organized context.

we were preparing

This focuses on making arrangements or getting ready for something.

we accumulated

Similar to 'we collected', but implies a gradual process of gathering over time.

we mobilized

Implies a gathering for action or a specific purpose, often with a sense of urgency.

FAQs

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

You can use "we were gathering" to describe an ongoing action in the past, such as "We were gathering data for our research project" or "We were gathering in the town square for the protest."

What's a formal alternative to "we were gathering"?

A more formal alternative to "we were gathering" could be "we were convening", which implies a more structured or official assembly.

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

The choice between "we are gathering" and "we were gathering" depends on the time frame. "We are gathering" indicates an action happening now, while "we were gathering" indicates an action that was happening in the past.

What does "we were gathering" imply about the action?

"We were gathering" suggests that the action of gathering was in progress over a period of time. It implies a process rather than a single, completed event. Alternatives can be "we assembled" or "we collected".