we were wandering

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'we were wandering' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this sentence when describing an action that is taking place in the past. For example, "We were wandering around the city, looking for a place to eat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

We were wandering down the main street, reading menus, when the lights went out.

The New York Times - Travel

"We were wandering all over the East Coast looking for money," Mr. Stanton said as he described how he was regularly rushed through presentations to potential investors.

The New York Times

In the afternoon, we were wandering in a vibrant city, through streets and streets of arcadelike shopping districts and restaurants, thinking inevitable thoughts about human resilience and rebuilding.

The New York Times - Travel

Classes hadn't yet begun, and we were wandering from dining hall to orientation activity to campus-safety lecture without certainty or friends or direction.

The New York Times

A little lower down from where we were wandering along, it's just a few feet above where the carpet of grass meets the rocks that dip down to the sea.

The Guardian

As we were wandering around his yard in search of commas, I asked Thomas, who was the lead author on the extinction study, how he felt about the changes he was seeing.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

And everywhere there are those who cry we are wandering in the wilderness.

The New York Times

We have our bread; now we are wandering, in spellbound reverie, among the circuses.

The Guardian - Opinion

We're wandering around Liverpool's Georgian Quarter, along with Kevin Bell, Saunders' colleague at the Liverpool Film Office, and I'm getting an education.

The Guardian

It starts off promisingly enough, with green footpath signs pointing east along the riverfront, but it's not long before we're wandering around a dismal industrial estate, wondering if we've taken a wrong turn.

The Guardian - Travel

When we're wandering with a hangover down the silent stretch of Broadway at 3 in the morning and the need for an "everything bagel" is stronger even than the need for water and sleep, what are we supposed to do without H & H's round-the-clock bakery at 80th Street?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were wandering" to describe a situation where a group is moving without a specific destination, often in a relaxed or exploratory manner. It effectively conveys a sense of aimlessness and can create a specific mood or atmosphere.

Common error

While "we were wandering" is perfectly acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in formal or professional writing where a more precise description of movement might be required. Consider alternatives like "we were surveying", "we were investigating", or "we were traversing" depending on the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were wandering" functions as a verb phrase describing an action in progress in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct. Examples in Ludwig show it describing aimless or exploratory movement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were wandering" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to describe a group's movement without a specific destination, often implying a relaxed or exploratory manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct. While it appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, it's versatile enough for various writing styles. However, overuse in highly formal settings should be avoided, opting for more precise language when necessary. Remember to use "we were wandering" when you want to convey a sense of aimlessness and create a specific mood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were strolling

Replaces "wandering" with "strolling", suggesting a more leisurely and relaxed pace.

we were meandering

Uses "meandering" instead of "wandering", implying a winding and indirect path.

we were roaming

Substitutes "wandering" with "roaming", which can suggest a broader area and less specific direction.

we were drifting

Replaces "wandering" with "drifting", suggesting a lack of control or purpose in movement.

we were exploring

Uses "exploring" instead of "wandering", indicating a more intentional search or discovery.

we were ambling

Replaces "wandering" with "ambling", implying a slow and unhurried walk.

we were rambling

Substitutes "wandering" with "rambling", which can suggest a long and undirected walk.

we were sauntering

Uses "sauntering" instead of "wandering", indicating a casual and unconcerned manner of walking.

we were traipsing

Replaces "wandering" with "traipsing", implying a tiring or cumbersome walk.

we were gallivanting

Substitutes "wandering" with "gallivanting", which suggests a playful and carefree exploration.

FAQs

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

You can use "we were wandering" to describe a group's movement without a specific destination. For example, "We were wandering through the old city, enjoying the sights and sounds."

What are some alternatives to "we were wandering"?

Depending on the nuance you want to convey, you could use phrases like "we were strolling", "we were meandering", or "we were roaming".

What's the difference between "we were wandering" and "we were exploring"?

"We were wandering" implies aimless movement, while "we were exploring" suggests a more intentional search or discovery.

Is "we were wandering" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "we were wandering" might be too informal for certain contexts. Consider using more precise alternatives like "we were surveying" or "we were traversing" in formal or professional writing.