we were researching

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were researching" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an ongoing or past activity related to investigation or study. Example: "During the summer, we were researching various methods to improve our product's efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

In Athens, we were researching together and helping each other.

Columbia University

When we were researching this, we looked at documentaries about P.O.W.'s.

The New York Times

"We were researching shapes, and it looked pretty to us, so we thought, 'Why not?' " Ms. Vandevorst said afterward.

The New York Times

When we were researching the script we found people who were feeding their kids biscuits because they had no money.

The Guardian

'When we were researching this, we wanted to find out why the mainstream men's market is in decline,' he says.

The Guardian

MW: The film was shot in seven weeks, but we were researching it before for three weeks.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

"We are researching those ambiguities," Grams testified.

The Washington Post

the issues we are researching.

Columbia University

Scouring the documents, we find confirmation that we are researching the right Horodok.

The Guardian

We tell her we are researching the history of the building.

The Guardian

EdlC: That's one of the things we're researching.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and purpose when choosing "we were researching". In formal contexts, more precise terms like "investigating" or "analyzing" might be preferable.

Common error

Avoid using "we were researching" when a more direct and active voice construction is possible. For example, instead of "the topic was being researched by us", use "we researched the topic" for a more impactful sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were researching" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past continuous action. It describes an activity of systematic inquiry or investigation that was in progress at some point in the past. Ludwig AI's examples showcase its use in diverse contexts, emphasizing its role in describing ongoing investigations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were researching" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe past continuous investigative actions. Ludwig AI shows it is grammatically sound and frequently employed across various fields, particularly in news, academia, and science. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, users should prioritize clarity and ensure the research subject is well-defined. Alternatives like "we were investigating" or "we were studying" can offer more precise meanings depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were investigating

Focuses on a more formal and systematic inquiry, often implying a problem or specific question to be answered.

we were studying

Implies a more academic or educational approach to learning about a subject.

we were exploring

Suggests a broader and more open-ended inquiry, without a specific goal or hypothesis.

we were analyzing

Highlights a detailed examination of data or information to identify patterns and draw conclusions.

we were examining

Indicates a careful and thorough inspection of something.

we were inquiring into

A more formal way of saying that an investigation or examination into something is taking place.

we were looking into

Implies a preliminary investigation or examination of a topic.

we were gathering data on

Focuses on the collection of information for a specific purpose.

we were collecting information about

Suggests systematic data accumulation on a specific topic.

we were doing research on

A more emphatic way of stating that research was being conducted, especially on a specific topic.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "we were investigating", "we were studying", or "we were exploring" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to start a sentence with "we were researching"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. However, ensure the sentence flows logically and the subject of your research is clear to maintain readability.

How can I make my sentences with "we were researching" more specific?

Provide details about the subject, methodology, or purpose of your research. For instance, "We were researching the impact of climate change on coastal ecosystems" is more informative than "We were researching a topic".

What's the difference between "we were researching" and "we researched"?

"We were researching" indicates an ongoing or incomplete action in the past, while "we researched" implies a completed action. For example, "We were researching the effects of the new drug" suggests the research was in progress, whereas "We researched the effects of the new drug" suggests the research is finished.