we were negotiating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were negotiating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing or past process of discussion aimed at reaching an agreement. Example: "During the meeting last week, we were negotiating the terms of the contract with the supplier."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Cheikh Ahmed said the attack took place "amid significant progress in the long peace negotiations, and at a time when we were negotiating a durable accord".

The Guardian

This would enable American representatives to match the negotiations to the economic system with which we were negotiating.

Harvard Business Review

I think we were negotiating bag fees.

The New York Times

It wasn't we were negotiating.

The New York Times

"Before, we were negotiating for a state.

The New York Times

At times we were negotiating over small points.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

"Yes, we are negotiating.

The Guardian - Sport

We are negotiating.

The Guardian

Solemnly he replied, "We're negotiating".

The New York Times

"We are negotiating in good faith".

The New York Times

As of now we are negotiating.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were negotiating" to convey an ongoing process of discussion and bargaining, especially when the outcome is not yet determined.

Common error

Avoid switching tenses mid-sentence when describing the negotiation process. For example, instead of "We were negotiating, and then we reach an agreement", use "We were negotiating, and then we reached an agreement".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were negotiating" functions as a verb phrase, specifically in the past continuous tense. It describes an ongoing action in the past, indicating that the subject ("we") was actively engaged in the process of negotiation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a common and grammatically sound expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were negotiating" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe an ongoing negotiation process in the past. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and very common, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts ranging from news reports to business discussions. The examples pulled by Ludwig show the phrase's versatility in describing various negotiation scenarios, confirming its widespread applicability. Remember to maintain consistent tense and choose synonyms carefully based on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we engaged in negotiations

Replaces the continuous tense with a simple past tense, emphasizing the completed action of negotiating.

we were in talks

A more concise and informal way of saying "we were negotiating".

we were in discussions

Similar to "we were in talks", but slightly more formal.

we held negotiations

Focuses on the act of holding or conducting the negotiations.

we were bargaining

Emphasizes the aspect of haggling or trying to reach an agreement on price or terms.

we were hammering out a deal

Idiomatic expression suggesting intense negotiation to finalize an agreement.

we were thrashing out an agreement

Similar to "hammering out a deal", but with a stronger sense of difficulty.

negotiations were underway

Passive voice construction focusing on the progress of negotiations.

we were conferring

Suggests a more formal and consultative approach to negotiations.

we were mediating

Implies acting as an intermediary to facilitate negotiations between other parties.

FAQs

What does "we were negotiating" mean?

The phrase "we were negotiating" means that a group of people were involved in discussions with the aim of reaching an agreement or compromise. It implies an active process of bargaining and dialogue.

What's the difference between "we were negotiating" and "we negotiated"?

"We were negotiating" implies an ongoing process in the past, while "we negotiated" suggests a completed action. For example, "We were negotiating the deal for weeks" versus "We negotiated a deal yesterday".

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

You can use alternatives like "we engaged in negotiations", "we were in talks", or "we were in discussions" depending on the context.

How to use "we were negotiating" in a sentence?

You can use "we were negotiating" to describe past discussions aimed at reaching an agreement. For example: "We were negotiating the price with the vendor when the power went out".