we were touring

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were touring" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an activity of visiting various places, typically for pleasure or exploration, in the past. Example: "Last summer, we were touring several historical sites across Europe, and it was an unforgettable experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were touring America in 2011 for our No More Idols tour and our frontman MC Rage put this on our tourbus and this incredible tune called Big Jet Plane came on.

The Guardian - Music

He never did, even when we were touring.

The Guardian - Music

I wrote them in 2009 when we were touring.

The Guardian - Music

We were touring, so we saw a lot of it.

Independent

Last year when we were touring, we're asked to all sign a 12 year old's violin.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

We were touring a greenhouse built by Marcos de León, the mayor's son.

The New Yorker

Allen was frantically busy: "We were touring the country doing licences.

The Guardian

We were touring with Motley Crue, and there was lots of chicks.

The Guardian - Music

"We were touring the first album, and I was wearing my street clothes," she told me.

The New Yorker

I hadn't played at the Stampede since I won the contest because we were touring internationally the whole time.

The Guardian

Gucci Mane and Sean Garrett, Break Up (2009 single) This came on the radio while we were touring.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were touring" to describe a series of planned visits to different locations, especially when those visits are related to a performance, event, or exploration. For example, "We were touring Europe to showcase our new product."

Common error

Avoid using "we were touring" to describe simply passing through a place. "Touring" implies a more involved experience with multiple stops or events. Instead, consider using phrases like "we passed through" or "we visited".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were touring" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, specifically a past continuous tense. It describes an ongoing activity in the past, indicating that the subject ("we") was engaged in the act of touring. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Academia

10%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were touring" is a grammatically correct and very common way to describe a past travel experience involving multiple destinations. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English and carries a neutral tone, making it suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, media, and academic writing. Alternatives like "we were traveling" or "we visited" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. When using this phrase, ensure that the context involves more than just passing through a place; it should imply a planned series of visits or performances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were traveling

Replaces "touring" with a more general term for moving from place to place.

we were on tour

Uses a prepositional phrase to convey the same meaning of being engaged in a tour.

we toured

Uses the past tense of the verb "tour" to simplify the phrase.

we were visiting

Replaces "touring" with a focus on the act of visiting multiple locations.

we went on a tour

Changes the structure to a more explicit statement of taking a tour.

we were exploring

Emphasizes the exploratory aspect of the travel experience.

we were journeying

Conveys a sense of a longer, more significant travel experience.

we were roving

Implies a more aimless and adventurous type of travel.

we were trekking

Suggests a more challenging or adventurous journey, often involving hiking.

we were globetrotting

Indicates extensive travel around the world.

FAQs

What does "we were touring" mean?

The phrase "we were touring" means that a group of people, including the speaker, were traveling to several places as part of a tour, often for leisure, performance, or work.

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

You can use "we were touring" to describe a past trip where you and others visited multiple locations. For example, "Last summer, "we were touring" historical sites in Italy."

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

You can use alternatives like "we were traveling", "we were visiting", or "we went on tour" depending on the context.

Is "we were touring" formal or informal?

"We were touring" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's more common in narrative or descriptive writing.