we were still

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "we were still" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation in which something continued for a certain amount of time. For example: "Although the rain was pouring outside, we were still determined to enjoy our picnic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We were still chopstickless.

The New York Times

We were still engaged".

The Guardian

Yet we were still happy.

The New York Times

"We were still in it.

The New York Times - Sports

"We were still very close.

The Guardian

But we were still relegated".

The Guardian - Sport

We were still close friends".

The Guardian - Film

And we were still hungry.

The New York Times

We were still in the game.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

We're still living.

The New Yorker

We're still undecided.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were still" to show continuation of a state or action over time, emphasizing that something hadn't changed despite circumstances. This helps to build narrative continuity and highlight persistent conditions or behaviors.

Common error

Avoid using "we were still" when you mean something has completely stopped. "Still" indicates continuation, so using it incorrectly can confuse your reader about the timeline of events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were still" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or verb phrase. It indicates the continuation of a state, action, or condition up to a particular point in time. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were still" is a versatile and grammatically correct construction used to indicate the continuation of a state, action, or condition in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread and appropriate in numerous contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, it's essential to ensure that the context accurately reflects a continuous action or state, avoiding its use when something has definitively ceased. Alternatives like "we remained" or "we continued to be" can offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we remained

Uses a single verb to indicate a continued state or condition.

we continued to be

Replaces "still" with a more explicit verb phrase emphasizing continuation.

we were yet

Indicates that something is still in a particular state, often implying a future change.

we kept being

Highlights the continuous nature of a state, often implying effort.

we persisted in being

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of a state despite potential challenges.

we carried on being

Suggests a continuous action or state, despite potential interruptions.

we found ourselves still

Adds a sense of discovery or realization to the continued state.

we were constantly

Implies a frequent or continuous state, changing the emphasis slightly.

we happened to be still

Indicates a chance or unexpected continuation of a state.

we were always

Suggests a habitual or consistent state, differing subtly in meaning.

FAQs

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

Use "we were still" to indicate that a situation, action, or state continued up to a certain point. For example, "Even after the rain started, "we were still" enjoying the picnic" shows the picnic enjoyment continued despite the rain.

What are some alternatives to "we were still"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "we remained", "we continued to be", or "we persisted" as alternatives to "we were still".

Is there a difference between "we were still" and "we are still"?

"We were still" refers to a past situation that continued for a period, while "we are still" indicates a current situation that is ongoing. The tense is the key differentiator.

When is it inappropriate to use "we were still"?

Avoid using "we were still" if the action or state has completely stopped and there is no implication of continuation. In such cases, it's better to use a simple past tense statement.