we were meeting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were meeting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing or past event where a group of people gathered for a specific purpose, typically in a professional or social context. Example: "Last week, we were meeting every day to discuss the project updates and ensure everyone was on the same page."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"We were meeting constantly," he added.

The New York Times

We were meeting for the first time.

The New Yorker

Last week we were meeting in Murray Hill.

The New York Times

Bingley didn't tell me we were meeting people here.

The New Yorker

At the time we were meeting about twice a week.

The Guardian

"Some of its members didn't know we were meeting".

The New York Times

Soon we were meeting for drinks after work.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Mr. Rivkin recalled, "We were met with howls of derision".

The New York Times

After dinner, we were met by photographer Ragnar Sigurdsson.

The Guardian - Travel

We were met by a sea of colour.

BBC

Six years ago, we were met with stiff opposition.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to put emphasis on the setting of the event and not the event itself, use "we were meeting". For example, "We were meeting at the stadium, too!"

Common error

Avoid using "we met" interchangeably with "we were meeting" if you want to emphasize the duration or the process of the meeting. "We met" implies a completed action, while "we were meeting" suggests an ongoing activity in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were meeting" functions as a past continuous verb phrase. It describes an action (meeting) that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig examples show its use in narrating past events and situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were meeting" is a grammatically sound and frequently used past continuous phrase. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves to describe an ongoing action in the past. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase carries a neutral register, suitable for various communication needs. When employing this phrase, ensure you're emphasizing the duration or process of the meeting rather than a simple completed action. Consider alternatives like "we had a meeting" or "we gathered" depending on the context to achieve the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we had a meeting

Uses a simple past tense instead of the past continuous to describe a completed meeting.

we were holding a meeting

More explicit about the act of organizing and conducting a meeting.

we were gathered

Emphasizes the act of coming together as a group, rather than the specific activity of meeting.

we convened

A more formal alternative, implying an official or organized assembly.

we assembled

Similar to "we were gathered", but can also suggest a more structured arrangement.

we got together

An informal way to describe a meeting, suitable for casual contexts.

we were in session

Suggests a formal meeting, often used in the context of conferences or official proceedings.

we were having a conference

Indicates a larger and more formal meeting, typically involving presentations and discussions.

we were holding discussions

Focuses on the exchange of ideas and information during the meeting.

we had an appointment

Suggests a pre-arranged meeting, typically one-on-one or with a small group.

FAQs

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

Use "we were meeting" to describe an ongoing meeting in the past. For example, "We were meeting to discuss the quarterly results when the power went out."

What are some alternatives to "we were meeting"?

You can use alternatives like "we had a meeting", "we gathered", or "we convened" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "we met" instead of "we were meeting"?

Both are correct, but they have different meanings. "We met" implies a completed action, while "we were meeting" suggests an ongoing activity in the past.

What's the difference between "we were meeting" and "we met"?

"We met" indicates a completed meeting or encounter, while "we were meeting" describes the activity of meeting that was in progress at a certain time in the past.