we were visiting

USAGE SUMMARY

"we were visiting" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is generally used to describe an action that was ongoing in the past. Example: We were visiting London when we stumbled upon a beautiful park.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We were visiting NYC.

The New York Times

We were visiting those summers again.

The New Yorker

Any recommendations if we were visiting?

The Guardian - Travel

SB: I was seven years old and we were visiting the US.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Cierra la puerta", my aunt told me once, while we were visiting at her house.

The Guardian - Opinion

We were visiting his exhibition at LACMA, where a good many museumgoers recognized him.

The New Yorker

Three years later, when we were visiting Times Square, we happened upon a police squad car.

The New York Times

One day when we were visiting, Sarah, my 11-year-old, had a project at school.

The Guardian

I proposed to my wife, Victoria, while we were visiting the Taj Mahal in India.

The New York Times

We tried to explain that we were visiting a friend, a blind man called Chen Guangcheng.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Yes, we were visited by one Barack Obama," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were visiting" to describe a temporary stay or exploration of a place. It implies a non-permanent presence and is suitable for travel narratives, personal anecdotes, and descriptive writing.

Common error

Avoid using "we were visiting" when describing a permanent move or relocation. Use phrases like "we moved to" or "we settled in" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were visiting" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. According to Ludwig AI, it accurately describes an action that was ongoing in the past. Examples in Ludwig showcase its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were visiting" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that indicates a past continuous action of visiting. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts. When writing, use it to describe temporary stays and explorations, avoiding its use for permanent relocations. Remember that alternatives like "we happened to be visiting" or "we were exploring" can add nuance to your descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we happened to be visiting

Adds an element of chance or serendipity to the visit.

we paid a visit to

More formal and emphasizes the act of visiting as a planned event.

we were in the process of visiting

Emphasizes that the visiting was in progress, highlighting the activity itself.

we were checking out

More informal, suggests exploration or casual observation of a place.

we were exploring

Focuses on the act of discovering and learning about a place.

we spent time visiting

Highlights the duration of the visit and the allocation of time.

we toured

Suggests a more structured and comprehensive visit, often involving a guide.

we were seeing

Implies a focus on observation and experiencing the sights of a place.

we were present at

More formal, indicates physical presence at a location or event.

we were doing a tour of

Highlights an organised visit to multiple places.

FAQs

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

You can use "we were visiting" to describe a past action of temporarily being in a place, such as "We were visiting Paris when we saw the Eiffel Tower".

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

Alternatives include "we happened to be visiting", "we paid a visit to", or "we were exploring", depending on the specific context.

Is "we were visiting" grammatically correct?

Yes, "we were visiting" is grammatically correct. It is the past continuous tense of the verb "visit", indicating an action that was ongoing in the past.

What is the difference between "we visited" and "we were visiting"?

"We visited" implies a completed action in the past, while "we were visiting" implies an ongoing or incomplete action. For example, "We visited Rome last year" suggests the trip is over. "We were visiting Rome when the earthquake struck" suggests the trip was in progress.