what were we doing

USAGE SUMMARY

"What were we doing" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are asking about something that has already happened or in progress. For example: "I was in the middle of explaining the project when I noticed you had left the room. What were we doing?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

What were we doing?

The New York Times

What were we doing there?

The New York Times - Health

So what were we doing here?

The New Yorker

"What were we doing in early March?

The Guardian - Books

"What were we doing on taxis?

The New York Times

"What were we doing?" she asks.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

What were we? Did we survive?

The Guardian - Books

But what are we doing?

Automation in Construction

What are we doing right?

University of California, Berkeley

What are we doing today?

Yale University

"What went wrong?" "What are we doing?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what were we doing" to prompt reflection on past actions, especially when evaluating outcomes or considering changes in strategy.

Common error

Avoid using "what were we doing" when you intend to ask about current or future actions. Instead, use "what are we doing" or "what will we be doing" to maintain correct tense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what were we doing" primarily functions as an interrogative clause. It prompts an inquiry about past actions or states. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its use in real-world contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Academia

7%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what were we doing" serves as a grammatically sound and frequently employed interrogative, primarily used to prompt reflection on past actions or states. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is valid across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it maintains a neutral register suitable for both informal and formal discourse. Related phrases offer alternative ways to express similar inquiries, while practical writing guidance emphasizes the importance of using correct tenses to avoid confusion. The frequent use of the expression and its relevance are confirmed by the high authority of the cited sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what had we been up to

This alternative implies a longer period of activity prior to the moment of questioning.

what was our course of action

This phrase focuses on the planned or intended activities at a particular time.

what activities were we engaged in

This option is more formal and emphasizes involvement in specific tasks.

what exactly did we do

This alternative asks for a precise account of past actions.

what steps did we take

This emphasizes the sequence of actions taken.

how did we proceed

This focuses on the manner in which actions were carried out.

what was our objective then

This centers on the goals or aims at the time in question.

what were our intentions

This alternative inquires about the underlying purposes behind past actions.

what was the purpose of our actions

This option focuses on the reasons or motivations for specific deeds.

what were we aiming for

This asks about the intended outcome or result of past efforts.

FAQs

How can I use "what were we doing" in a sentence?

You can use "what were we doing" to inquire about past activities, as in "After the initial success, "what were we doing" differently that led to the decline?"

What's a more formal way to ask "what were we doing"?

In a formal context, you might ask "In what activities were we engaged?" or "What was our course of action at that time?"

What can I say instead of "what were we doing" to emphasize blame?

To imply blame, you might use phrases like "Where did we go wrong?" or "What mistakes did we make?"

Is "what were we doing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "what were we doing" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to inquire about past actions. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.