were flowing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were flowing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action in the past, often related to liquids or emotions. Example: "The rivers were flowing swiftly after the heavy rain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Soon, suds were flowing.

The New York Times

Emotions were flowing".

The New York Times

The drinks were flowing.

The New York Times

Some carbs were flowing in.

The New Yorker

Then the coins were flowing".

The Guardian - Music

The passes and the juices were flowing.

The Guardian - Sport

Tears were flowing down his cheeks.

The New Yorker

"The orders were flowing in," he recalled.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Why were flows so skewed?

Forbes

The Champagne was flowing.

The New York Times - Arts

Perspiration was flowing.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were flowing" to describe a continuous movement or progression of something, whether it's a physical substance like water or an abstract concept like ideas or emotions. Ensure the subject is plural to match the verb conjugation.

Common error

Avoid using "were flowing" with a singular subject. The correct form for a singular subject would be "was flowing". For example, instead of "The river were flowing", use "The river was flowing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were flowing" functions as a past continuous verb phrase, describing an ongoing action or state in the past. It typically modifies a noun, indicating that something was in the process of moving or progressing. As Ludwig AI points out, its correctness is confirmed by its presence in numerous reliable sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

8%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were flowing" is a versatile and commonly used past continuous verb phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes an ongoing action in the past, conveying continuous movement, progression, or abundance. It is grammatically correct and finds frequent use in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business contexts, it should always be used with a plural subject and should not be confused with "had been flowing". While alternatives such as "were streaming" or "were gushing" exist, the specific context should guide the choice. Expert analysis suggests the phrase is reliable and consistent, making it appropriate for a variety of writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were streaming

Focuses on continuous movement, often liquid or light.

were gushing

Emphasizes a sudden, forceful outflow.

were coursing

Suggests a continuous, onward movement, like a river.

were surging

Highlights a powerful, wave-like motion.

were cascading

Implies a downward flow, often in abundance.

were pouring

Suggests a heavy and continuous flow.

were flooding

Indicates an overflowing, inundating movement.

were emanating

Focuses on the origin and outward projection of something.

were circulating

Highlights movement in a circular path.

were rolling

Suggests a continuous, onward movement, often in abundance.

FAQs

How can I use "were flowing" in a sentence?

Use "were flowing" to describe a continuous action in the past involving a plural subject. For example, "The tears "were flowing" freely" or "Ideas "were flowing" during the brainstorming session".

What are some alternatives to "were flowing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "were streaming", "were gushing", or "were coursing". Consider the specific nuance you want to convey when choosing an alternative.

Is it correct to say "was flowing" instead of "were flowing"?

The correct choice depends on the subject. Use "was flowing" for singular subjects (e.g., "The river was flowing"), and "were flowing" for plural subjects (e.g., "The rivers "were flowing"").

What's the difference between "were flowing" and "had been flowing"?

"Were flowing" describes a continuous action in the past. "Had been flowing" describes an action that started in the past, continued for some time, and then stopped, or continued until another point in the past. The latter emphasizes the duration of the action.