whilst we were visiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whilst we were visiting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurred during the time of a visit, often in a more formal or literary context. Example: "Whilst we were visiting the museum, we stumbled upon a fascinating exhibit on ancient civilizations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were visiting NYC.

The New York Times

Whilst bereaved mothers were visiting hospital following their loss, they had significant decisions to make in relation to their deceased twin.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

She reveals that her baby nearly got taken away due to her drug addicted boyfriend, and that whilst Elena was visiting her baby vomited on her, but left in a hurry before she could clean it up.

Wikipedia

The 39-year-old Australian is accused of committing the crimes in August whilst he was visiting Stockholm.

BBC

Work carried out together whilst the first author was visiting Korea.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Whilst the Chinese envoy was visiting Damascus on Saturday, not far from the city centre, a funeral was taking place in the district of Mazzeh for three protesters shot by regime forces earlier in the week.

Vice

But how this could have happened whilst we were kettled in parliament i don't know.

The Guardian

She added: "Whilst we were working and moving I was really positive and comfortable.

The Guardian - Sport

We had taken our recording equipment with us so we could record audition tapes whilst we were away.

BBC

Whilst we were talking, though, we noticed that Lenin was getting very agitated.

Vice

Whilst we were lucky to have left the day before, sadly others weren't.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using simpler alternatives like "while we were visiting" in less formal contexts to maintain clarity and flow.

Common error

Avoid using "whilst we were visiting" in very casual contexts; it can sound stilted. Opt for "while we were visiting" or "during our visit" for a more natural feel.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whilst we were visiting" functions as a temporal conjunction, introducing a clause that specifies the time or circumstances during which another action occurred. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which show it used to set the scene or provide context for events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "whilst we were visiting" is a grammatically sound phrase used as a temporal conjunction to provide context about events happening during a visit. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's important to note that the phrase carries a slightly formal tone due to the use of "whilst", as such it's less used in casual settings and that more common alternatives like "while we were visiting" or "during our visit" may be more suitable. It appears most frequently in News & Media sources, and less frequently in academic and business contexts. Using "whilst we were visiting" adds a touch of formality and descriptive detail to writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while visiting

A more concise way of expressing concurrent actions.

while on our visit

Highlights the state of being on a visit.

during our visit

Focuses directly on the time frame of the visit.

when we were visiting

Highlights a specific time within the visit.

as we visited

Emphasizes the act of visiting as the context for other events.

at the time of our visit

Similar to "during our visit" but slightly more specific.

during the time we visited

Specifies the period of the visit.

upon visiting

Focuses on the moment of arrival and subsequent actions.

on the occasion of our visit

Formal and emphasizes the importance of the visit itself.

as we toured

Replaces "visiting" with a synonym that implies a structured tour.

FAQs

What is a more common alternative to "whilst we were visiting"?

A more common alternative is "while we were visiting", which carries a similar meaning but is generally considered less formal.

How can I use "whilst we were visiting" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe actions or observations that occurred during a visit, such as: "Whilst we were visiting the museum, we learned about the history of the region."

Is it grammatically correct to say "whilst we was visiting"?

No, the correct form is "whilst we were visiting". The verb 'were' is used because 'we' is plural.

What's the difference between "while we were visiting" and "during our visit"?

"While we were visiting" emphasizes the concurrent actions or events during the visit. "During our visit" focuses on the visit itself as a period of time. The meaning remains substantially similar.