we were stopping

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were stopping" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that was occurring in the past, specifically the act of ceasing movement or an activity. Example: "As we were driving through the city, we were stopping at various landmarks to take pictures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

But the neighbourhoods we were stopping in were overwhelmingly black.

The Guardian - Opinion

We were stopping the best offense in football.

The New York Times - Sports

"Definitely," he said.

The New Yorker

The following year, he said: "My generation had to be taken seriously because we were stopping things and burning things.

The Guardian - Film

"We were stopping two or three laps before them and also our refuelling time was just a disaster for us as we lost six seconds every time".

The Guardian - Sport

Given that we were stopping about every 10 minutes to bribe the 6-year-old with treats, there was plenty of opportunity to look for chatter marks.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

But we were stopped within like 10 minutes.

The New York Times

But "we were stopped by the Border Patrol," he offers.

The Economist

'During the journey we were stopped several times,' he said.

The Guardian

We were stopped again; Pastor Sidney repeated his exorcism ritual.

The New Yorker

"I felt it back there, when we were stopped.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were stopping" to clearly indicate an action of ceasing movement or activity that was in progress in the past. It works well in narrative contexts, such as describing a journey or a process.

Common error

Avoid using "we were stopping" when you should be using a different tense, such as "we stopped" (simple past) to indicate a completed action, or "we are stopping" (present continuous) to indicate an action happening now. For example, "We stopped at the store" indicates a completed action in the past, while "we were stopping at the store" indicates it was a process in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were stopping" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use to describe an action of ceasing movement or an activity that was ongoing in the past.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were stopping" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase that describes an ongoing action of ceasing movement or activity in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's essential to use the correct tense to avoid confusion, "we were stopping" effectively communicates an action that was in progress. Consider alternatives like "we were pausing" or "we were halting" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were pausing

Replaces "stopping" with a synonym, indicating a temporary halt.

we were halting

Uses a more formal synonym for "stopping", suggesting a deliberate cessation.

we were taking a break

Emphasizes the reason for stopping, implying rest or recuperation.

we were breaking

Implies an interruption of ongoing action.

we were ceasing

A formal alternative, indicating a complete end to movement or activity.

we were in the process of stopping

Highlights the ongoing nature of the action of stopping.

we were coming to a stop

Focuses on the action of approaching a standstill.

we were pulling over

Specifically refers to stopping a vehicle, often to the side of the road.

we were taking a respite

Synonymous of "break" or "rest", implies interruption of ongoing action.

we were suspending

A temporary interruption.

FAQs

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

You can use "we were stopping" to describe a past action of ceasing movement or activity. For example, "As we drove through the city, "we were stopping" at various landmarks to take pictures."

What's the difference between "we were stopping" and "we stopped"?

"We were stopping" describes an ongoing action in the past, while "we stopped" describes a completed action in the past. For instance, "we were stopping" suggests an action in progress at some point in the past, and "we stopped" indicates it's over.

What are some alternatives to "we were stopping"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "we were pausing", "we were halting", or "we were taking a break".

Is "we were stopping" grammatically correct?

Yes, "we were stopping" is grammatically correct. It is the past continuous tense of the verb "stop" and is used to describe an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past.