were making

USAGE SUMMARY

"were making" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used in the present progressive tense as the past form of "are making". Example: They were making dinner when the phone rang.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

We were making progress".

The New York Times - Sports

You were making pictures.

The New York Times

They were making progress.

The New Yorker

They were making a statement.

The New York Times

The musicians were making films".

The New York Times

Several were making new investments.

The New York Times

"You were making friends".

The New York Times - Arts

But we were making decent time.

The New Yorker

He said community groups were making progress.

The New York Times

Behind me, two guys were making pasta.

The New Yorker

They were making their presence known.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were making", ensure the subject clearly identifies who or what is performing the action. For instance, "The students were making a presentation" is clearer than "A presentation were making."

Common error

Avoid using "were making" with a singular subject. The correct form for a singular subject is "was making". For example, it should be "He was making dinner", not "He were making dinner".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were making" functions as a past continuous verb phrase, indicating an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. As demonstrated in the examples provided by Ludwig, it shows ongoing activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

8%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were making" is a past continuous verb phrase used to describe actions in progress in the past. As per Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and sees frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's essential to ensure proper subject-verb agreement and contextually appropriate usage, choosing semantically related alternatives when nuance is required. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its use in real-world scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were creating

Emphasizes the act of bringing something new into existence.

were producing

Highlights the generation or manufacturing of a product or result.

were constructing

Focuses on the physical building or assembly of something.

were developing

Suggests a gradual process of growth or advancement.

were building

Similar to "were constructing", but can also refer to intangible things like relationships or strategies.

were forming

Indicates the shaping or establishment of something.

were generating

Focuses on the production or origination of something, often energy or ideas.

were preparing

Highlights the act of getting something ready for a future event or purpose.

were undertaking

Emphasizes the act of engaging in a task or project.

were enacting

Focuses on the formal process of establishing a law or rule.

FAQs

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

"Were making" is used to describe an action that was in progress in the past. For example, "They were making progress on the project" or "We were making dinner when the guests arrived."

What are some alternatives to "were making"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "were creating", "were producing", or "were constructing".

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

The choice between "was making" and "were making" depends on the subject. Use "was making" with singular subjects (e.g., "He was making") and "were making" with plural subjects (e.g., "They were making").

What's the difference between "were making" and "are making"?

"Were making" refers to an action in progress in the past, while "are making" refers to an action in progress in the present. For example, "They were making dinner yesterday" versus "They are making dinner now".