we were studying

USAGE SUMMARY

"we were studying" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used when referring to the past tense, as in: "Last night, we were studying for our math test."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We were studying the Greeks".

The New Yorker

We were studying France at school.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The patterns we were studying were on a different scale.

The Guardian

Originally we were studying painting and in the same class.

The Guardian

Chava: We were studying the Bible at my apartment.

The New York Times

While we were studying the medals table, new figures showed the economy flatlining.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Iran-contra scandal occurred while we were studying for the SAT.

The New York Times

Rosie: We met at art school where we were studying painting.

The Guardian

Our first breakthrough came while we were studying a rare inherited blistering skin disorder.

The New York Times - Science

Because I find that the history we were studying was problematic.

The New York Times

Would he claim that they were disciples of the same master, had studied together just as we were studying now?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, follow "we were studying" with specific details about the topic and methodology for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "we are studying" when referring to past research or learning experiences. "We were studying" correctly places the action in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were studying" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past continuous action. It describes a prolonged activity of learning or investigating a particular subject. This is supported by examples found by Ludwig, such as "While we were studying the medals table, new figures showed the economy flatlining."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were studying" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe a continuous action of learning or researching in the past. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the tense is consistent with the timeline of your narrative and provide specific details about the topic and methodology when appropriate. Consider alternative phrases like "we were researching" or "we were examining" for nuanced emphasis. Remember to avoid using the present continuous tense, "we are studying", when referring to past activities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were researching

Replaces "studying" with "researching", emphasizing investigation and detailed examination.

we were examining

Substitutes "studying" with "examining", highlighting a close and careful inspection.

we were analyzing

Replaces "studying" with "analyzing", focusing on breaking down a subject into its components for better understanding.

we were investigating

Substitutes "studying" with "investigating", emphasizing a systematic or formal inquiry to discover and examine the facts of an incident, allegation, etc. so as to establish the truth.

we were learning about

Rephrases to "we were learning about", focusing on the process of gaining knowledge.

we delved into

Replaces "we were studying" with "we delved into", indicating a thorough and in-depth exploration of a topic.

we were taught

Changes the focus to the instruction received, implying that someone else was providing the information.

we were reviewing

Indicates that the material had been studied before and was being looked at again.

our focus was on

Shifts the structure to emphasize the object of study as the central point.

we were concerned with

Implies that the subject was a matter of importance or relevance to the group.

FAQs

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

You can use "we were studying" to describe a past activity of learning or researching, for example: "We were studying the effects of climate change on coastal ecosystems last year."

What's the difference between "we were studying" and "we studied"?

"We were studying" implies a continuous action in the past, while "we studied" suggests a completed action. For example, "We were studying all night for the exam" emphasizes the duration, while "We studied for the exam" simply states it happened.

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

You can use alternatives like "we were researching", "we were examining", or "we were analyzing" depending on the specific context.

Is "we were studying" formal or informal?

"We were studying" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. It's a neutral phrase commonly used in academic papers, news articles, and everyday conversation.