we were operating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were operating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or process that was happening in the past, often in a context related to business, machinery, or any organized activity. Example: "During the peak hours, we were operating at full capacity to meet customer demands."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We were talking about how important it was that our own people inside the Navy and Marines itself and the public, too, knew how closely we were operating," said Adm. Vern Clark, chief of naval operations.

The New York Times

Working together, we were able to quickly understand the affected communities we were operating in, and conduct effective rescue, relocation, and sheltering operations, as well as distribute critical pet supplies.

Huffington Post

"We were operating day, afternoon and night".

The New York Times

We were operating in a way that we don't typically operate.

University of California, Berkeley

"We were operating in almost a war zone, literally a presidential state of emergency," he says.

The New York Times

"We were operating on the outer fringes of possibility," Butler said.

The New Yorker

"We were operating in the softest fourth quarter in four or five years".

The New York Times

"We were operating on five patients at once in two theatres.

The Guardian

We were operating, I can see now, on several faulty assumptions.

Harvard Business Review

We were operating on the lime's schedule, not our own, as Ryan noted.

The New York Times

"We were operating at a loss," Peter O'Brien, the American chief financial officer of Rosneft, said in a telephone interview.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were operating", ensure the context clearly indicates the system, process, or organization involved. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity about what was being managed or controlled.

Common error

Avoid using "we were operating" when referring to current or future actions. Instead, use "we are operating" or "we will be operating" to maintain accurate tense and convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were operating" serves as a declarative statement indicating the performance of an activity or management of a system in the past. Ludwig examples illustrate its usage across various contexts, confirming its grammatical function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

12%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were operating" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe past activities or states, particularly in business, organizational, or procedural contexts. Ludwig's AI confirms its validity, supported by numerous examples from reliable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. It’s crucial to maintain accurate tense when using this phrase, avoiding its application to present or future scenarios. Semantically related alternatives include phrases like "we were running" or "we were managing". When using "we were operating", ensure the context clearly describes the activity or entity involved to maintain clarity and prevent ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were running

Focuses more on the continuous action of managing or controlling something.

we were functioning

Emphasizes the ability to perform a specified task or role.

we were in operation

Highlights the state of being active or working.

we were managing

Indicates the act of overseeing and directing an activity or organization.

we were conducting

Refers to the act of carrying out a specific activity or experiment.

we were executing

Emphasizes the performance or implementation of a plan or task.

we were utilizing

Highlights the use of resources or tools to achieve a goal.

we were employing

Focuses on the use of a particular method or strategy.

we were working

Implies general activity or effort being exerted.

we were active

Emphasizes participation and engagement in a process.

FAQs

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

You can use "we were operating" to describe a past action or process. For instance: "We were operating at full capacity during the holiday season".

What's a good alternative to "we were operating"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "we were running", "we were managing", or "we were functioning".

Is it correct to say "we are operating" instead of "we were operating"?

The correct tense depends on the timeframe you're referencing. Use "we are operating" for current activities and "we were operating" for past activities.

In what situations is "we were operating" most appropriate?

"We were operating" is suitable when describing the state or function of a business, system, or organization in the past. It's often used in reports, historical accounts, and explanations of past events.