we were neglecting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were neglecting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a certain action or responsibility was not being attended to in the past. Example: "During the busy season, we were neglecting our regular maintenance tasks, which led to several issues later on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"They told us they felt we were neglecting them," Mr. Zuch said.

The New York Times

"If we were to stop responding to 911 emergency or 311 quality of life calls, there would be a phenomenal hew and cry that we were neglecting the minorities of the city," he said.

Vice

"It's innovative for Georgia because mostly, in our centres, we were only assessing the child's health and we were neglecting the development and behaviour of the child," said the head of the Child Development Centre, Dr. Maya Kherkheulidze.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"They said we were neglected and uncontrollable and that the worst one – the one who influenced all the others – was me, so I would have to go to a separate institution.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I think we were neglected," he said.

BBC

Or why we were neglected.

Huffington Post

The problem is not that we're neglecting each other.

The New York Times

If we're not there, people think we're neglecting them.

The Economist

Meanwhile, we are neglecting the severely ill who can be accurately diagnosed and effectively treated.

The New York Times

If we want to get at the root of slavery, it seems we're neglecting one of its deepest layers".

The Guardian

What is it, moreover, that we are neglecting to care about when we dismiss weather talk as the stuff of superficial exchange?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were neglecting", ensure the context clearly indicates what was being neglected and the consequences of that neglect to provide a complete understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "we were neglecting" without specifying what was being neglected. This can lead to confusion and weaken the impact of your statement. Always clarify the object of neglect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were neglecting" typically functions as a verb phrase indicating a past continuous action of failing to care for or attend to something. It describes a state of neglect that occurred over a period. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

3%

News & Media

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were neglecting" is a versatile phrase used to express a past continuous state of failing to care for or attend to something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is grammatically correct and the phrase is mostly found in "news & media", "science" and "formal & business" contexts. It's important to specify what was being neglected for clarity. Alternatives include phrases such as "we were overlooking", "we were ignoring", or "we were disregarding", each carrying subtle differences in connotation. When employing this phrase, consider the intended audience and the degree of formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were ignoring

Highlights the lack of attention.

we were overlooking

Focuses more on inadvertent oversight, less on deliberate disregard.

we were disregarding

Implies a more conscious decision to ignore something.

we were failing to address

Emphasizes a lack of action towards a problem.

we weren't prioritizing

Suggests a conscious decision about resource allocation.

we were not paying attention to

Highlights a lack of focus or awareness.

we were remiss in

Formal and implies a sense of duty neglected.

we were sidelining

Suggests a conscious act of pushing something to the side.

we were shirking our responsibility towards

Implies an avoidance of duty and obligation.

we underestimated the importance of

Focuses on a misjudgment of value.

FAQs

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

You can use "we were neglecting" to express a past failure to care for or attend to something. For example, "During the project, we were neglecting our communication, which led to misunderstandings."

What are some alternatives to "we were neglecting"?

Some alternatives include "we were overlooking", "we were ignoring", or "we were disregarding". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "we were neglecting" and "we ignored"?

"We were neglecting" implies a lack of attention or care over a period, while "we ignored" suggests a more deliberate act of disregard. The former is often less intentional than the latter.

Is it better to use "we were neglecting" or "we had been neglecting"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "we had been neglecting" emphasizes that the neglect occurred over a longer period before a specific point in time. "We were neglecting" is simpler and suitable when the extended duration is less important.