we were suggesting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were suggesting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a past recommendation or proposal made by a group or individuals. Example: "During the meeting, we were suggesting several strategies to improve our marketing efforts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

So we were suggesting collaborations.

The Guardian - Music

"We did not believe the numbers we were suggesting were in any way inappropriate," Mr. Gillett said.

The New York Times

"Implicit in what the current government was saying around the time of the Nato summit in Wales last year where we were suggesting that it was everybody's responsibility around Europe to meet the 2% of GDP for defence expenditure... is the fact that that's what we ought to be doing ourselves".

The Guardian

Rather, we were suggesting a specific mechanism to explain the observed effect.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"The special education faculty at the elementary school where we were suggested we go out of district," she said.

The New York Times

We're suggesting that everyone be able to participate equally".

The New York Times

"We're suggesting that everyone be as cautious as possible".

The New York Times

We're suggesting a new process for public service commissioning.

The Guardian

Now we're suggesting 20percentt versus 18percentt for the index.

The New York Times

What we are suggesting is for NATO perhaps to help train.

The New York Times

"The things we are suggesting are very civilized," Mr. Yilmaz said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were suggesting", ensure it's clear who the 'we' refers to. If the context doesn't make it obvious, specify the group or individuals involved for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "we were suggesting" without indicating whether the suggestions were acted upon or had any impact. Add context about the outcome of the suggestion to provide a more complete picture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were suggesting" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It indicates a continuous action of proposing or recommending something by a group in the past. Ludwig provides examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were suggesting" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase to describe a past, ongoing action of making proposals or recommendations. As Ludwig AI states, it's a usable phrase in written English. While generally neutral, its formality can be adjusted by choosing synonyms like "we proposed" for more formal settings. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, the phrase is versatile and clear, but remember to specify the 'we' and the impact of the suggestion for optimal clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we proposed

This alternative offers a more direct and concise way of expressing the act of suggesting, often implying a formal setting.

we recommended

Similar to suggesting, but with a stronger emphasis on endorsing a particular course of action or option.

we advised

Implies giving counsel or guidance, carrying a slightly more authoritative tone than suggesting.

we put forward

Suggests introducing an idea or proposal for consideration, often in a formal context.

we offered

Indicates presenting something for acceptance or rejection, implying a willingness to provide assistance or options.

we floated the idea

Describes introducing an idea tentatively, to gauge interest or reaction before committing to it.

we mooted

British English. Raises a subject for discussion or debate; less common in American English.

we hinted at

Implies suggesting something indirectly or subtly, without explicitly stating it.

we alluded to

Similar to hinting, but often refers to mentioning something indirectly or by way of suggestion, often referencing something well-known.

we implied

Indicates conveying a meaning indirectly through a statement or action, without explicitly expressing it.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "we proposed", "we recommended", or "we advised" depending on the context.

How to use "we were suggesting" in a sentence?

Use "we were suggesting" to describe a past act of recommending or proposing something. For example, "During the meeting, we were suggesting several new marketing strategies".

Is "we were suggesting" formal or informal?

"We were suggesting" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "we proposed" might be more appropriate in certain situations.

What's the difference between "we were suggesting" and "we suggested"?

"We were suggesting" implies an ongoing or repeated action in the past, while "we suggested" indicates a completed action. The continuous form emphasizes the process of suggesting, rather than just the single act.