we were receiving

USAGE SUMMARY

"we were receiving" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that was happening in the past. For example: "We were receiving reports of strange lights in the sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The men resented the attention we were receiving.

Princeton University

Campbell: We were receiving requirements through the April-May time frame.

The Guardian

They were aware that we were receiving these watches because everybody received them".

The Guardian - Sport

In contrast, we were receiving reports of long queues outside polling stations in Nantwich, where the Tories were strong.

The Guardian

"Next thing you know, we were receiving phone calls from London, Ireland, Australia and all over the continental United States".

The New York Times

Weatherill said Turnbull's comments were "in contradiction of the oral advice that we were receiving from the Aemo".

The Guardian

"We are very satisfied with the deal, a doubling of the income we were receiving at the stadium," Bernstein said.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

We were received with open arms".

The New York Times

We were received by the president, Francis Bertram Elgas, and the Sec.

The New Yorker

When we appeared, eyes wide and blue, we were received as honored guests.

The New York Times - Magazine

That's why we were received that way, just like you see in the movies".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were receiving", ensure the context clearly indicates who "we" refers to and what was being received. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on passive constructions like "we were receiving" when active voice could make the sentence more direct and impactful. Consider if rephrasing with an active subject would improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were receiving" functions as a verb phrase, specifically the past continuous tense of the verb "receive". This indicates an action of getting something that was in progress at a specific time in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct. Examples include "We were receiving reports" and "We were receiving calls".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

14%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were receiving" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe an ongoing action of receiving something in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts. Its usage spans across news, academic, and business domains, indicating its versatility. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the recipient and the object being received. While generally neutral in tone, be mindful of potential passive voice constructions. Consider active voice alternatives for a more direct writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were getting

Uses a more informal synonym for "receiving".

we obtained

Replaces the continuous tense with a simple past tense verb, implying a completed action.

we had been receiving

Emphasizes the duration of the receiving action with the past perfect continuous tense.

we came into receipt of

A more formal and less common way to express the same idea.

we were being given

Shifts the focus to the act of giving rather than receiving.

we were collecting

Implies a more active and intentional gathering of something.

we experienced

Expresses the receiving action as an experience.

information reached us

Rephrases to focus on the destination of information rather than the act of receiving.

it was conveyed to us

Focuses on the act of conveying information to a group.

there was a flow of

Describes a continuous stream of information being received.

FAQs

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

Use "we were receiving" to describe an ongoing action in the past where your group or organization was the recipient of something. For instance, "We were receiving numerous applications for the open position".

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

You can use alternatives like "we were getting", "we obtained", or "we had been receiving" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "we were receiving" or "we received"?

"We were receiving" implies an ongoing process in the past, whereas "we received" indicates a completed action. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the duration or the completion of the receiving action.

What's the difference between "we were receiving" and "we were being given"?

"We were receiving" focuses on the act of receiving, while "we were being given" emphasizes the act of someone else giving. The latter shifts the focus to the giver rather than the receiver.