we were wishing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were wishing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a desire or hope that was held in the past. Example: "When we were younger, we were wishing for a summer filled with adventure and fun."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"At times it felt like we were wishing the game to finish rather than going out and going after it," said Lions flyhalf Jonathan Sexton.

The New York Times - Sports

We were wishing our lives away at one point.

BBC

"And we were wishing we had a way to link all that really important information together in that environment".

Huffington Post

Just a couple for instances: when we really wanted a Boy Scout in Ohio, there was a Boy Scout standing in a parking lot alongside the road; and just when we were wishing out loud for Mormons in Colorado, voilà two Mormons rounded the corner on their mountain bikes.

Vice

It is not enough to thank a veteran for her or his service as though we were wishing them a 'good day.' It is incumbent upon each of us to engage in ongoing care for veterans and to ensure that we provide meaningful assistance in rebuilding their lives and their futures.

Huffington Post

The newspaper's review of Part 2 was much more negative, with the article saying "by the end of the latest X-Files episode, we were wishing we could push a reset button on Dreamland II, just to forget some of the silly stuff that transpired in this show".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

We are wishing him a speedy recovery".

The New York Times

She added, "We are wishing the Perry folks the absolute best.

The New Yorker

But if that is all we are saying the conclusion will be drawn that we are wishing the problem away".

The Guardian

"We're wishing him all the best.

TechCrunch

We're wishing.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were wishing" to express a past desire that was not necessarily fulfilled. It adds a touch of wistfulness or longing to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "we were wishing" to describe a current desire. This phrase implies a past state. For present desires, use "we wish" or "we are hoping".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were wishing" functions as a verb phrase, specifically in the past continuous tense. It describes an ongoing state of desiring or hoping for something in the past, often implying that the wish was not immediately fulfilled. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were wishing" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to express a past desire or hope that was ongoing. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts and carries a neutral tone. To avoid common errors, ensure you don't use it to express present desires; instead, use alternatives like "we wish". While not exceedingly common, it's a useful phrase for adding depth and emotion to your writing, particularly when reflecting on the past.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were hoping

An alternative phrasing that emphasizes the act of hoping in the past, similar in meaning but different in structure.

we hoped

Expresses a direct statement of past hope, simplifying the wording of the original phrase.

we desired

Conveys a strong feeling of wanting something in the past, emphasizing the strength of the wish.

we yearned for

Emphasizes a deep longing or persistent desire for something in the past.

we longed for

Similar to "yearned for", but can also convey a sense of nostalgia or sentimentality.

we anticipated

Focuses on expecting something to happen, often with a positive or excited feeling.

we looked forward to

Highlights the pleasurable expectation of a future event or experience.

we had a wish

States the existence of a wish, rather than the act of wishing.

we dreamt of

Indicates a wish that is more imaginative or fantastical in nature.

it was our wish

Highlights that the wish was a shared desire or collective aspiration.

FAQs

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

You can use "we were wishing" to describe a past desire or hope that may or may not have been fulfilled. For example, "Back then, "we were wishing" for a snow day so we wouldn't have to go to school."

What's the difference between "we were wishing" and "we wished"?

"We wished" implies a completed action of making a wish, whereas ""we were wishing"" suggests a continuous state of desiring or hoping for something over a period of time.

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "we hoped", "we desired", or "we longed for" to express a similar meaning.

Is "we were wishing" grammatically correct?

Yes, ""we were wishing"" is grammatically correct. It's the past continuous tense of the verb "to wish", indicating a continuous action in the past.