were streaming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were streaming" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action in the past, particularly in the context of broadcasting or transmitting video or audio content over the internet. Example: "Last night, we were streaming our favorite show when the power went out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His eyes were streaming.

The New Yorker

Tears were streaming down faces.

The Guardian

People were streaming past us.

The New Yorker

Refugees were streaming out of southern Congo.

The Economist

"Tears were streaming down my face".

The New Yorker

Tears were streaming down her cheeks.

The New York Times

Tears were streaming down McGuire's face.

The Guardian - Opinion

Tears were streaming down his cheeks.

The New Yorker

At the main hospital the ambulances were streaming in endlessly.

The Guardian

Behind us, the racers were streaming down 20 seconds apart.

The New York Times - Sports

"Tears were streaming down his face," he says.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were streaming" when you want to describe the continuous transmission of data, like video or audio, over the internet. For example, "The concert was amazing; fans were streaming it live worldwide."

Common error

Avoid using "was streaming" when referring to a plural subject. "Was streaming" is for singular subjects, while "were streaming" is for plural subjects or subjects using 'you', 'we', or 'they'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were streaming" functions as a past continuous verb phrase, indicating an ongoing action in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. The examples show its versatility in describing different types of flow, from people moving to data being transmitted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were streaming" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes an ongoing action in the past, particularly in the context of media or data transmission. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and adaptable to numerous scenarios. Its prevalence in news and media sources highlights its neutrality and widespread understanding. While "were streaming" effectively conveys continuous past actions, alternatives like "were broadcasting" or "were transmitting" may offer more precise meanings depending on the intended context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were broadcasting

Emphasizes the act of transmitting a signal or content to a wider audience.

were transmitting

Highlights the process of conveying data or information from one point to another.

were flowing

Implies a continuous movement or progression, like a river or a crowd.

were pouring

Suggests a large quantity moving rapidly.

were flooding

Indicates an overwhelming influx or surge.

were surging

Conveys a sudden and powerful increase or movement.

were rushing

Emphasizes speed and urgency in movement.

were proceeding

Focuses on the continuous and orderly progress of something.

were advancing

Highlights forward movement, often in a strategic or planned manner.

were issuing forth

A more formal way of saying something was coming out or emanating from a source.

FAQs

How do I properly use "were streaming" in a sentence?

"Were streaming" describes an ongoing action in the past for plural subjects. For instance, "Viewers "were streaming" the event as it unfolded".

What are some alternatives to "were streaming"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "were broadcasting", "were transmitting", or "were showing".

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

No, "was streaming" is used for singular subjects (e.g., "He was streaming"), while "were streaming" is used for plural subjects (e.g., "They "were streaming"").

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

"Were streaming" indicates a continuous action in the past (e.g., "People "were streaming" the game yesterday"), while "are streaming" indicates a continuous action in the present (e.g., "People "are streaming" the game now").