we were planning

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "we were planning" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a past tense verb phrase used to express that something was being planned prior to the present. Example: We were planning to take a trip to the beach, but then the pandemic hit.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were planning my father's funeral service.

The Guardian

What we were planning fell through.

Princeton University

"We were planning to go ahead with that upgrade work".

The New Yorker

It was useful to know because we were planning children.

The Guardian

We were planning on putting 75 through out of 160.

The Guardian

We were planning to have 30 students per class.

The Guardian - Film

There was outside resistance to what we were planning offensively.

The New York Times - Sports

"We knew we were planning for the future.

The New York Times

"We were planning, and it really paid off.

The New York Times - Science

"We were planning to do it this year, but the numbers weren't right," said O'Carroll.

The Guardian - Film

"We were planning to talk again a couple days after he went missing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "we were planning" to clearly indicate that an action or event was in the preparatory stages at some point in the past. It implies intention and forethought, whether the plan was ultimately realized or not.

Common error

Ensure clarity by explicitly stating the object or event being planned. For instance, instead of just saying "we were planning", specify "we were planning a vacation" or "we were planning the conference".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were planning" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It describes an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use across various contexts, affirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were planning" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe actions in progress during the planning stage in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts. Its prevalence in News & Media and Academic sources highlights its broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure you specify what was being planned to avoid ambiguity. Considering alternatives like "we intended to" or "we had scheduled" can add nuance to your writing, even if they have a slightly different meaning. Keep in mind to use Ludwig to find more examples!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were preparing

Stresses the actions taken to get ready for something, indicating a state of readiness or anticipation.

we were arranging

Implies a more active process of organizing and setting up details, often for a specific event or purpose.

we intended to

Highlights the intention or purpose behind an action, suggesting a planned course that may or may not have been executed.

we had scheduled

Focuses on having a specific time set aside, emphasizing the scheduling aspect rather than the broader planning.

we were designing

Implies a creative and strategic approach to planning, often involving detailed specifications and blueprints.

we anticipated

Emphasizes foreseeing and preparing for something in advance, often based on expectations or predictions.

we envisioned

Focuses on creating a mental image of the future, suggesting a planned direction based on that vision.

we were formulating

Suggests the process of developing a strategy or plan in a systematic and structured manner.

we foresaw

Highlights the ability to see or predict a future event, implying preparedness based on that vision.

we contemplated

Emphasizes the act of considering or thinking deeply about something, suggesting a potential plan under consideration.

FAQs

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

Use "we were planning" to indicate an intention or arrangement that was being considered or prepared for in the past. For example, "We were planning to launch the product in Q3, but the market conditions changed".

What are some alternatives to "we were planning"?

Alternatives include "we intended to", "we were preparing", or "we had scheduled" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

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

The choice depends on the timeframe. "We are planning" indicates a current or future plan, while "we were planning" refers to a plan that existed in the past.

What is the difference between "we were planning" and "we planned"?

"We were planning" implies an ongoing process of planning that may or may not have been completed, while "we planned" suggests a completed planning phase, whether or not the plan was executed.