we were understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

"we were understanding" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use this sentence in informal conversation or written work to express that you and/or another person were attempting to understand or comprehend a situation or idea. For example: "We were understanding the complex concept when our professor interrupted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I thought we were understanding each other, but he looked down at the floor, even more embarrassed, and said, "Sorry, it won't happen again.

The New Yorker

So we do understand the connections better, but I think the fundamental principles were clear -- the first big issue was legalizing and making abortions safe, so we were understanding that women's existence as the means for reproduction was the fundamental reason for our inferior status; the desire to control reproduction was the fundamental reason.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"We are understanding her more and more as a trailblazer".

The New York Times

We are understanding cancer and rare genetic diseases.

The New York Times - Science

But she said: "We're understanding each other's culture better".

The New York Times

His political one — assuming we're understanding it correctly — is iffier.

Independent

We're understanding not to panic and to get back to what we do best".

The New York Times - Sports

In the 21st century we are understanding that often alternatives to incarceration might be the better way to go.

The Guardian

And we're understanding that taking on a crisis like this requires a new way of operating.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We are understanding better that you do get people who, for psychological reasons, confess to things they didn't do.

The Guardian

But if we're understanding the term to mean acts of terror committed for political ends, then the CIA is surely the greatest terrorist organisation on earth.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were understanding" to express an ongoing process of comprehension. For a completed state of understanding, consider "we understood".

Common error

Avoid using "we were understanding" when you mean "it was understood by us". The active voice is usually clearer and more direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were understanding" functions as a verb phrase, specifically using the past continuous tense. It describes an action (understanding) that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were understanding" is a grammatically correct verb phrase in the past continuous tense, used to describe an ongoing process of comprehension. While Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, its frequency is relatively low compared to alternatives like "we understood". The phrase appears in news and media, as well as science contexts. When writing, consider if you want to highlight the process of understanding or the completed state, and choose the appropriate tense accordingly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were comprehending

Replaces "understanding" with a more formal synonym, "comprehending".

we were grasping

Uses "grasping" to convey a sense of gaining understanding.

we were on the same wavelength

Indicates a shared understanding or agreement.

we were getting the picture

Employs an idiomatic expression to indicate understanding.

we were figuring out

Focuses on the process of solving or understanding something.

we were seeing eye to eye

Expresses agreement or shared perspective.

we were following

Suggests keeping up with an explanation or idea.

we were becoming aware

Emphasizes the process of gaining awareness or understanding.

we had an understanding

Shifts the focus to the existence of an agreement or shared knowledge.

we were in agreement

Highlights the consensus reached.

FAQs

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

Use "we were understanding" to describe a situation where a group was in the process of reaching a mutual understanding. For instance, "We were understanding the new policy when the manager changed it."

What's a good alternative to "we were understanding"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "we were comprehending", "we were grasping", or "we were getting the picture".

Is it better to say "we were understanding" or "we understood"?

"We understood" implies a completed action, meaning understanding was achieved. "We were understanding" suggests an ongoing process of trying to understand. The better choice depends on whether the understanding was fully realized or not.

What is the difference between "we were understanding" and "we had an understanding"?

"We were understanding" refers to the process of gaining comprehension. "We had an understanding" implies a prior agreement or shared knowledge.