we were revising

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were revising" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of reviewing or editing something, such as a document or piece of work, in the past. Example: "Last week, we were revising the final draft of our report to ensure it met all the requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

During the early months of the project, Mr. Hanley said, "We were revising and refining, looking for some magic approach that would break this chill on the story without any direction from above".

The New York Times

We can both remember her bringing us bowls of it when we were revising for our exams, convinced it was the key to realising her dream of having doctors for daughters!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mr. Macgillivray added, "That's why, when we were revising our privacy policy, we toyed with the idea of calling it our 'public policy.' " He said the company would have done so but California law required that it have a "privacy policy" labeled as such.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

We're revising our strategy for growth going forward.

The New York Times

"We are a socialist country," he said, "but we are revising it a little bit.

The New York Times

"Well, we wrote it and we're revising it now but who knows what will happen.

The Guardian

The bank said: We are revising our forecasts for the Thameslink (GTR) win and Southeastern extension.

The Guardian - Business

"We are revising the manual on how to prevent other attacks.

Independent

As part of the Beveridge Revisited series we are revising Sir William Beveridge's five giant evils for the 21st century.

The Guardian

"We are revising our plans to reflect recent action so we can be compliant as soon as possible.

The Guardian

Well, I guess if we're revising Reagan's legacy... Still can't believe Jeb picked Margaret Thatcher for the $10 bill.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were revising", ensure the context clearly indicates what was being revised. Providing specifics enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "we were revising" when the changes were fundamental or a complete overhaul. Consider using "rewriting" or "reconstructing" to better reflect the extent of the changes made.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were revising" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past continuous action. It describes a process of reviewing and making changes, with the auxiliary verbs "were" indicating past tense and continuous aspect. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were revising" is grammatically correct and denotes a past continuous action of reviewing and modifying something. While its frequency is rare based on the limited examples provided by Ludwig, it finds usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific writing. Related alternatives such as "we were editing" or "we were amending" can offer nuanced shades of meaning. When employing "we were revising", clarity regarding the revised content is paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were editing

Focuses specifically on making changes to improve something, similar to revising.

we were reviewing

Implies a more general assessment or inspection, but shares the core idea of revisiting previous work.

we were amending

Suggests making formal corrections or additions to a document or plan.

we were correcting

Highlights the act of fixing errors or mistakes.

we were rewriting

Indicates a more substantial change, involving creating a new version of something.

we were modifying

Implies making alterations or adjustments to something.

we were altering

Similar to modifying, but may suggest a more fundamental change.

we were reworking

Suggests putting effort into improving or reshaping something.

we were polishing

Emphasizes the final stages of refinement and improvement.

we were refining

Focuses on making subtle improvements to enhance quality.

FAQs

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

Use "we were revising" to indicate a past action of reviewing and making changes to something. For example, "Last night, "we were revising" the budget proposal to account for new expenses".

What's a more formal alternative to "we were revising"?

Consider using "we were amending" or "we were modifying" for a more formal tone. These alternatives suggest a more official or structured revision process.

Is there a subtle difference between "we were revising" and "we were editing"?

While similar, "we were revising" implies a more comprehensive review and potential restructuring, whereas "we were editing" suggests focusing on specific corrections and improvements.

Can I use "we were revising" in academic writing?

Yes, "we were revising" is appropriate for academic writing when describing the process of refining a paper or research. Ensure the context clearly specifies what document or material "we were revising".