we were walking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were walking" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used when referring to a past event, such as "We were walking along the beach when it suddenly started to rain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(We were walking behind him).

The New Yorker

Another was that we were walking corpses.

The New York Times - Magazine

We were walking toward the swing set.

The New York Times

"We were walking away from the protest.

The Guardian

We were walking on Hampstead Heath.

The Guardian - Opinion

We were walking about like headless chickens.

The Guardian

He assumed we were walking home".

The New York Times - Sports

We were walking in a circle.

The New Yorker

We were walking in the debris.

The Guardian

We were walking arm in arm towards the Ourcq metro.

The Guardian

And so we were walking toward a restaurant instead.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a scene, use "we were walking" to set the context and then follow with details about the environment or what you observed during the walk.

Common error

Ensure the context makes it clear who "we" refers to, especially if multiple groups or individuals are mentioned in the writing. Otherwise, rewrite it with more clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were walking" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It describes an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig provides examples that show its use in setting scenes and describing ongoing activities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were walking" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe an action in progress in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in news, media, and other forms of writing to set a scene or provide context. While there are several alternatives such as "we strolled" or "we were wandering", the phrase remains a versatile and straightforward option for describing movement from a first-person perspective. Ensure clarity by defining who "we" refers to, and the phrase will effectively convey your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were strolling

Highlights the relaxed and unhurried nature of the walking activity.

we were wandering

Emphasizes aimless or exploratory walking.

we strolled

Emphasizes a leisurely and relaxed pace of walking.

we ambled

Suggests a slow and relaxed way of walking, often without a specific destination.

we were rambling

Highlights an unhurried and meandering walk, often through the countryside.

we were hiking

Suggests walking in a more challenging or natural environment, like hills or trails.

we were proceeding

Indicates a forward movement or continuation of a journey or activity.

we were trekking

Indicates a long and arduous journey on foot, often in mountainous regions.

we were marching

Implies a more formal or purposeful walk, often in a group.

we journeyed

Suggests a longer trip involving walking and other forms of transportation.

FAQs

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

You can use "we were walking" to describe a past action that was in progress, for example, "We were walking along the river when we saw a group of ducks".

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

You can use alternatives like "we strolled", "we were wandering", or "we were hiking" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "we was walking" instead of "we were walking"?

No, "we was walking" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "we were walking", using the plural form of the verb "to be" (were) with the plural pronoun "we".

What's the difference between "we walked" and "we were walking"?

"We walked" indicates a completed action in the past, while "we were walking" describes a continuous action in the past. For example, "We walked to the store" implies a completed trip, whereas "we were walking to the store" suggests the act of walking was ongoing.