were starting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were starting" is not correct in written English.
Did you mean "we're starting"? You can use "we're starting" to indicate that a group or individual is beginning an activity or event. Example: "We're starting the meeting at 10 AM sharp, so please be on time."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They were starting over.

The New Yorker

Nerves were starting to fray.

The Economist

They were starting again.

The Guardian

They were starting from zero.

The Guardian

People were starting to watch.

The New York Times - Travel

Firewalls were starting to close.

The New York Times

"They were starting to heal.

The New York Times

Yesterday, they were starting over.

The New York Times

We were starting a school there.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Government inquiries were started.

The New York Times - Sports

Hence, antituberculotics were started.

Critical Ultrasound Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating the start of an action in the past continuous tense, ensure subject-verb agreement. For plural subjects, "were starting" is correct (e.g., "They were starting the project"). However, for singular subjects, use "was starting" (e.g., "He was starting the project").

Common error

A common error is using "were starting" with a singular subject. Remember that "were" is for plural subjects or the second-person singular/plural ("you"), while "was" is for singular subjects (e.g., "He was starting", not "He were starting").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were starting" functions as the past continuous tense of the verb "start", indicating an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were starting" is a common construction used to describe actions in progress in the past, particularly with plural subjects. However, the Ludwig AI points out that the grammatical status is incorrect, even though there are many real world example sentences found in News & Media contexts. To ensure grammatical correctness, always verify subject-verb agreement (using "was starting" for singular subjects). The use of the phrase is widespread, particularly in news contexts, but the Ludwig AI cautions against its use due to grammatical considerations. Reviewing the best practices and common errors can help ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set about starting

Implies a planned and intentional beginning, focusing on the preparation before the action.

got going with

Emphasizes the transition into the active phase, highlighting the forward movement.

began to start

Emphasizes the initiation of the starting process, focusing on the very beginning of the action.

launched into action

Suggests a swift and decisive start, emphasizing the momentum of the initiation.

initiated the process

Focuses on setting the wheels in motion, emphasizing the early stages of a procedure.

started to commence

Highlights the formal initiation of something, suggesting a more deliberate beginning.

initiated the start

Formally denotes the commencement of an activity, stressing the deliberate nature of the beginning.

commenced the beginning

Stresses the act of formally starting, adding a layer of formality to the onset.

got underway

Describes the action of beginning in a passive way, focusing on the event starting independently.

kicked off the beginning

Conveys an energetic and informal start, suitable for less formal contexts.

FAQs

How do I use "were starting" correctly in a sentence?

"Were starting" is the past continuous form of the verb "start" used with plural subjects or with "you". Example: "They were starting a new life" or "You were starting to understand the concept".

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

"Was starting" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "He was starting"), while "were starting" is used with plural subjects or with "you" (e.g., "They were starting", "You were starting").

Can I use a different tense instead of "were starting"?

Yes, you can use other tenses depending on the context. For example, you might use the simple past "started" (e.g., "They started the game") or the present continuous "are starting" (e.g., "They are starting now").

What can I say instead of "they were starting"?

Alternatives include "they "began"", "they "commenced"", or "they "initiated"", depending on the desired level of formality and the specific context.