we were waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence 'We were waiting' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to convey that something was happening in the past and had not yet finished. For example: "We were waiting for the bus when it began to rain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

We were waiting for that.

The New Yorker

"We were waiting for hours.

The New York Times - Sports

We were waiting for it".

The Guardian

We were waiting," McCarthy said.

The Guardian

We were waiting for them.

The Guardian - Sport

We were waiting every day to die.

Independent

After all, we were waiting for pie!

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

BioWare, we're waiting.

The New York Times - Arts

We're waiting.

The New York Times

We are waiting.

The New York Times

"We are waiting, just waiting".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were waiting", ensure the context clearly indicates what you were waiting for. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "we was waiting", as it's grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "we were waiting", using the plural form of the verb 'to be'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were waiting" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense, indicating an action of waiting that was in progress at a specific time in the past. This is supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were waiting" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a continuous action of anticipation in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it also appears in scientific and formal business settings. To ensure clarity, specify what was being waited for and avoid the common error of using "we was waiting". Consider alternatives like "we were expecting" or "we had been anticipating" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were expecting

Emphasizes the expectation of something specific happening or arriving.

we were awaiting

A more formal and literary alternative to "waiting".

we had been anticipating

Uses a more formal verb, "anticipating", and a slightly different tense to emphasize the duration of the expectation.

we were prepared

Focuses on the act of making preparations in advance.

we were in anticipation

Expresses a state of heightened excitement and expectancy.

we had been ready

Highlights a state of preparedness that existed for a period before something happened.

we were on standby

Indicates a state of readiness to act or respond.

we were poised

Suggests readiness and balance before taking action.

we were set

Indicates a state of preparedness, often for a task or event.

we were holding back

Implies restraint or delaying action until a specific moment.

FAQs

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

You can use "we were waiting" to describe a past continuous action of anticipating something, for example: "We were waiting for the bus when it started to rain".

What are some alternatives to "we were waiting"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "we were expecting", "we had been anticipating", or "we were awaiting".

Is it correct to say "we was waiting"?

No, "we was waiting" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "we were waiting".

What's the difference between "we were waiting" and "we waited"?

"We were waiting" implies a continuous action in the past, while "we waited" suggests a completed action. For instance, "We waited for an hour" indicates the waiting is over, but "We were waiting for an hour" suggests the waiting may or may not be complete.