we were identifying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were identifying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a past action of recognizing or determining something. Example: "During the meeting, we were identifying the key issues that needed to be addressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"We were identifying a question," he said.

The New York Times

"From the smallest youngsters playing, we were identifying abuse and violence at sporting events as a huge problem, even back then," said Mr. Collincini.

The New York Times

"We were identifying plenty of paperwork which some might view as invalid".

Vice

To confirm that we were identifying clade members correctly, we extended sequence information by PCR HvWRKY6 and HvWRKY9, a putative group 1 WRKY and group 2d WRKY, respectively.

BMC Genomics

Thirdly, our cases of pulmonary tuberculosis may not have been "real cases"—we were identifying infants with subclinical disease but positive culture results, some of whom would possibly, if left, have self cured.

British Medical Journal

When we were identifying DE genes between tissues with an overrepresentation of adipose cells versus all the other biopsies, we defined a gene as DE if the gene had a B-score of more than 20.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Upon arrival, we were identified as troublemakers and hauled off one-by-one for a comprehensive bothering.

The Guardian - Opinion

We were identified by our regulator and as a result we were named as one of seven who were in line to receive support with our PFI payments".

The Guardian

We're identifying him in several of the middle scenes.

The Guardian

"We are identifying individual needs and providing offenders with a clear rehabilitation programme.

The Guardian

We're identifying it as an early collaborative play of Shakespeare's.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were identifying" when you want to emphasize the ongoing process of recognition or discovery in the past, rather than a single, completed action.

Common error

Avoid using "we were identifying" when a simple past tense like "we identified" is more concise and clear, especially when the emphasis is on the result rather than the process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were identifying" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It describes an ongoing action of recognizing or determining something in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with several examples in news, scientific, and formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were identifying" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe an ongoing process of recognition or discovery in the past. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is used across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings, with a neutral to formal tone. While alternatives like "we identified" exist, "we were identifying" emphasizes the continuous nature of the action. It's crucial to consider the specific context to ensure that the progressive tense accurately reflects the intended meaning. The most authoritative sources are The New York Times, The Guardian, Huffington Post, TechCrunch and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we identified

Shorter, more direct past tense of the same action; less emphasis on the ongoing process.

we recognized

Focuses on acknowledging something already known or apparent.

we detected

Implies discovering something not easily noticeable.

we determined

Suggests a more formal and conclusive finding.

we pinpointed

Indicates locating something with precision.

we discovered

Emphasizes finding something new or previously unknown.

we ascertained

A more formal way of saying 'we made certain' or 'found out'.

we diagnosed

Specifically refers to identifying a problem or condition, often in a medical context.

we distinguished

Highlights differentiating between multiple options or possibilities.

we were discerning

Focuses on subtle perception and careful judgment.

FAQs

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

You can use "we were identifying" to describe a past action of recognizing or determining something. For example: "During the research phase, "we were identifying" key trends in the data".

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

Alternatives include "we identified", "we recognized", or "we detected", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "we were identifying" or "we identified"?

The choice depends on the context. "We identified" implies a completed action, while "we were identifying" suggests an ongoing process in the past. Use the latter when the process itself is important.

What's the difference between "we were identifying" and "we were recognizing"?

"We were identifying" implies discovering or determining something, while "we were recognizing" suggests acknowledging something already known or apparent. The difference lies in whether you are finding something new or simply acknowledging something existing.