were checking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were checking" is not correct in standard written English; it should be "we're checking" or "were checking" depending on the context.
You can use it when indicating that a group of people is currently verifying or examining something. Example: "We were checking the inventory to ensure everything was in stock."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They were checking up on their men.

The New York Times

They were checking their phones for messages.

The New Yorker

The police were checking tax discs.

The Guardian

Our guide showed up as we were checking in.

University of California, Berkeley

Student: In name they randomized who they were checking.

Yale University

They were checking the math, not the mortgages.

The New York Times

Army officials said they were checking the reports.

The New York Times

"They were checking us the same as every day.

The New York Times

"They were checking my throat, neck and legs," he recalled.

The Guardian - Sport

Both flights were checking in at the same time.

The New York Times

I knew they were checking to verify the particle size.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were checking", ensure the subject of the sentence is plural or uses "you" to maintain subject-verb agreement. For example, "They were checking the data".

Common error

Avoid using "were checking" with a singular subject. Instead of "He were checking", use "He was checking" to maintain correct grammar.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were checking" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past continuous action, typically involving inspection, verification, or examination. Ludwig AI recognizes that while common, it's important to ensure subject-verb agreement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

30%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were checking" is a verb phrase used to describe a past continuous action of inspecting or verifying. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it's a common phrase, particularly in news and academic contexts. However, grammatical correctness is crucial, especially ensuring subject-verb agreement. Common errors include using it with singular subjects. Alternatives such as "were inspecting" or "were verifying" can be used for variety and to ensure accuracy. Pay close attention to the subject of the sentence to use this term correctly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were inspecting

Replaces "checking" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing a detailed examination.

were verifying

Focuses on confirming the accuracy or truth of something, rather than a general check.

were examining

Implies a careful and thorough investigation.

were scrutinizing

Suggests a very critical and detailed examination.

were assessing

Focuses on evaluating the value or quality of something.

were monitoring

Implies continuous observation over a period of time.

were reviewing

Suggests a formal re-examination or evaluation.

were auditing

Implies a systematic and official examination of records.

were investigating

Implies a systematic or formal inquiry to discover and examine the facts of an incident, allegation, etc. so as to establish the truth.

were looking into

An informal way of saying "were investigating" or "were examining".

FAQs

How can I use "were checking" correctly in a sentence?

Use "were checking" when the subject is plural (e.g., "They "were checking" the perimeter") or with the pronoun "you" (e.g., "You "were checking" the documents").

What are some alternatives to "were checking"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "were inspecting", "were verifying", or "were examining".

Is it correct to say "I were checking"?

No, it is not correct. The correct form is "I was checking". "Were" is used with plural subjects and "you", while "was" is used with singular subjects like "I", "he", "she", and "it".

What's the difference between "were checking" and "was checking"?

"Were checking" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "They "were checking"") and the pronoun "you", while "was checking" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "He "was checking"").