we were hoping

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "We were hoping" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that something was talked about or planned with the expectation that it will happen. Example: We were hoping to take a vacation this summer, but due to the pandemic, our plans had to change.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"We were hoping for more".

The New York Times

We were hoping for that".

The New York Times - Arts

"We were hoping he would surprise us".

The New York Times - Sports

We were hoping for a better result.

The New York Times

"We were hoping for a miracle".

The New York Times - Sports

"But we were hoping for more".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

"We're hoping".

The New York Times - Science

"We are hoping," she said.

The New York Times

We're hoping we can fill that".

The New York Times - Sports

"We are hoping against hope," he said.

The New York Times

We are hoping for..

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were hoping" to express a past expectation or desire that may or may not have been fulfilled. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "we are hoping" when referring to a past expectation. "We were hoping" is the correct tense for expressing something you wished for in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were hoping" functions as a verbal phrase expressing a past expectation, desire, or intention. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were hoping" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a past desire or expectation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI and supported by numerous examples from diverse sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, this phrase is versatile and appropriate for various contexts, ranging from news reports to academic discussions. While alternatives such as "we had hoped" or "we anticipated" may offer subtle differences in meaning, "we were hoping" remains a reliable and widely understood expression. Remember to use the correct tense and be mindful of the subtle differences in meaning when choosing alternative expressions. The analysis reveals its prevalence in News & Media and Academia sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we had hoped

Uses past perfect tense, emphasizing a hope held earlier in the past.

it was our hope

Shifts the focus to the hope itself, rather than the action of hoping.

we were expecting

Highlights the expectation aspect, suggesting a degree of anticipation.

we anticipated

Focuses on expecting something to happen, possibly with less emotional investment.

we were aiming for

Highlights the goal-oriented aspect, suggesting a plan or objective.

our expectation was

Formalizes the expression, focusing on the expectation as a state.

we were counting on

Suggests a reliance on something happening, adding an element of dependence.

we had envisioned

Implies a mental picture of a desired outcome.

we desired

Emphasizes the element of wanting something to occur.

we were looking forward to

Expresses anticipation and pleasure regarding a future event.

FAQs

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

Use "we were hoping" to express a past desire or expectation. For example, "We were hoping to finish the project by Friday, but there were some unexpected delays".

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

You can use alternatives like "we had hoped", "we anticipated", or "we were expecting", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

"We are hoping" indicates a current hope or desire, while "we were hoping" refers to a past hope. The correct choice depends on the time frame you're referencing.

What is the difference between "we were hoping" and "we expected"?

"We were hoping" implies a desire or wish for something to happen, whereas "we expected" suggests a stronger belief or anticipation based on evidence or prior experience.