we were in the midst of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'we were in the midst of' is a perfectly grammatical and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that has been ongoing, but is now interrupted by another event. For example, "We were in the midst of our hike when the skies opened and it began to rain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were in the midst of a dreaded January thaw.

The New York Times - Travel

We were in the midst of an epidemic.

The New York Times

"We were in the midst of the Pinks," says Carr. "We couldn't do anything".

The Guardian - Music

Unfortunately, we were in the midst of a historic, catastrophic, financial meltdown.

The New York Times

Suddenly, we were in the midst of rolling hills covered in tall, pale grass.

The New York Times

"Last year I felt like we were in the midst of all the changes and everything," Wilkens said.

The New York Times - Sports

"But five years ago, we were in the midst of a crisis, and now we're in a growth phase.

The New York Times

We were in the midst of what may once have been considered a variety of religious experience.

The New Yorker

"Back then, the mobile industry was relatively untapped and we were in the midst of the dot-com era".

The New York Times - Tech

"Are you buying a house?" she asked, and I replied that we were in the midst of trying.

The New York Times

We were in the midst of growing ID and actually had a lease out to take more space.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were in the midst of" to clearly indicate that an event or process was ongoing when another event occurred, providing context and a sense of timing.

Common error

Avoid using "in the midst of" to simply mean "in the middle of" a physical space. "In the midst of" implies a process or event, not just a location.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were in the midst of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb to provide context about when something occurred. It indicates that an action or state was ongoing at a particular time, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were in the midst of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to provide temporal context, indicating that something was happening or ongoing when another event occurred. Ludwig's examples show its prevalence in News & Media, but also in Formal & Business contexts. The phrase is grammatically correct and very common, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects an ongoing process or situation rather than simply indicating a physical location. Related phrases like "we were experiencing" or "we were in the thick of" can provide similar meaning with subtle variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were in the thick of

Suggests being deeply immersed in the most intense or active part of something.

we were experiencing

Focuses on the act of undergoing or living through something.

we were undergoing

Highlights the process of being subjected to or enduring something.

we were going through

Emphasizes the act of passing through a particular experience or phase.

we were facing

Indicates confrontation or dealing with a specific challenge or situation.

we were entangled in

Suggests a state of being caught up or deeply involved in a complex situation.

we were caught up in

Highlights a state of being absorbed or preoccupied with something.

we were participating in

Focuses on the action of taking part in an activity or event.

we were engaged in

Implies active involvement and participation in a specific activity.

we found ourselves in

Emphasizes a situation that one unexpectedly encounters or becomes involved in.

FAQs

What does "we were in the midst of" mean?

The phrase "we were in the midst of" indicates that a process, activity, or event was already happening or ongoing when something else occurred or when the speaker is reflecting on a situation.

How can I use "we were in the midst of" in a sentence?

You can use "we were in the midst of" to provide context or explain what was happening when another event occurred. For example, "we were in the midst of negotiations when the deal fell apart."

What are some alternatives to "we were in the midst of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "we were experiencing", "we were undergoing", or "we were in the thick of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "we were in the middle of" instead of "we were in the midst of"?

While "we were in the middle of" is similar, it often implies a physical location or stage in a process. "We were in the midst of" typically refers to a more abstract state or ongoing event. The choice depends on the specific context and intended meaning.