we were noticing

USAGE SUMMARY

"we were noticing" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe something that you were paying attention to, or that occurred to you during a specific moment in time. Example: We were noticing how the sun's rays shone through the trees, creating a beautiful effect.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"The children must enjoy it, but we were noticing how when they're deflated, these things look like trash".

The New York Times

"We were noticing the price was low".

The New York Times

We were noticing one of their concellation marks on an envelope.

The New Yorker

"We were noticing that there are all of these shows but no black artists.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Isn't it about time we were noticed and accepted?" she wrote on the event website.

Independent

We were noticed that biosurfactant have least harmful effect with maximum concentration.

Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology

We want to feel we mattered, that we were noticed.

Huffington Post

Should we be noticing that?

The Guardian

"We're noticing an increase in demand," he says.

Independent

According to Neilson: "We're noticing a lot less people about than normal.

The Guardian - Travel

"We're noticing more and more single women going to the gulf these days," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were noticing" to describe observations made over a period of time or during a specific event. This indicates that the observation was ongoing or unfolding.

Common error

In formal reports or academic papers, consider using more concise or precise alternatives like "we observed" or "we identified" to maintain a professional tone. Overuse can make your writing sound less authoritative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were noticing" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It expresses an ongoing action of observing or becoming aware of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and offers examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were noticing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe observations made over time. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reputable sources. While generally neutral in tone, more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "we observed" or "we identified". When using this phrase, consider the context and whether a more specific term might be more appropriate. Pay attention to usage, as the past continuous tense indicates something occurring over a period. The phrase appears frequently in news, science, and formal business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we noted

A more concise and direct way of saying "we were noticing".

we observed

Replaces "noticing" with a more formal synonym.

we detected

Suggests a more acute or scientific observation.

we perceived

Implies a sensory or intuitive awareness.

we realized

Emphasizes a sudden understanding or awareness.

we became aware

Highlights the process of gaining knowledge.

we identified

Indicates recognizing or distinguishing something specific.

we discovered

Implies finding something new or unexpected.

we found

Suggests a less formal way of stating a discovery.

we spotted

Implies a quick or casual observation.

FAQs

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

You can use "we were noticing" to describe something that you observed or became aware of over a period of time. For example, "We were noticing a decline in customer satisfaction over the past few months".

What phrases are similar to "we were noticing"?

Alternatives to "we were noticing" include phrases like "we observed", "we detected", or "we perceived", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "we were noticing" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "we were noticing" when you want to convey that an observation was made gradually or over a period of time. This is useful for describing trends, patterns, or changes that you became aware of through ongoing observation.

Is "we were noticing" too informal for academic writing?

While "we were noticing" is generally acceptable, in formal academic writing, more precise and professional alternatives like "we observed" or "we identified" may be preferred to maintain a formal tone.