you were checking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "you were checking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that was ongoing in the past, often in the context of verifying or examining something. Example: "I noticed that you were checking the documents for any errors before submitting them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Or perhaps it was only 973 minutes, depending on whose stopwatch you were checking.

The Guardian - Sport

"They always fixed up the lobby so it looked good when you were checking in," he said.

The New York Times

All communication happens inside the app – each persona you create will have an inbox with emails and threaded SMS messages – just like you were checking them on your own phone.

TechCrunch

Along with the really great "flipping" experience of Flipboard on mobile devices, using the app is one of the best ways to catch up on news that you missed because you were checking Facebook working, or to give yourself a chance to re-read something that you only skimmed the first time.

TechCrunch

While you were checking on the hot wings, here were the best of the big budget ads in the first quarter of Super Bowl 50.

Los Angeles Times

"What if a student said you were checking them out in here?" Some of Michael's classmates could hear Livengood's tirade down the hall.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

You're checking in with him, too.

The New York Times

So you're checking him out.

The New York Times

And second, be systematic, be careful when you're checking.

Yale University

While you're checking locks, check the hinges on exterior doors.

The New York Times

If you are constantly monitoring how people achieve their goals, then you are checking up.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "you were checking" when describing an action in the past where someone was in the process of verifying or examining something. This phrasing is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "you were checking" when a more precise verb would better capture the specific type of examination being performed. For instance, use "reviewing" for documents or "diagnosing" for medical assessments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "you were checking" functions as a relative clause, often embedded within a larger sentence to provide context or detail about a past action. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in describing what someone was doing at a specific time.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "you were checking" is a versatile phrase used to describe an ongoing action of verification or examination in the past. As Ludwig AI also highlights, it's considered grammatically correct and appears in a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media, and wiki-based content. While more formal alternatives exist, its neutral tone makes it widely applicable. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects an action that was in progress, rather than a completed action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

you were examining

Substitutes "checking" with "examining", suggesting a careful and detailed inspection.

you were verifying

Substitutes "checking" with "verifying", implying a focus on confirming accuracy or truth.

you were reviewing

Changes "checking" to "reviewing", suggesting a more formal and structured examination.

you inspected

Replaces "were checking" with a more formal term for examining something carefully.

you assessed

Replaces "were checking" with "assessed", implying an evaluation of something's quality or value.

you were monitoring

Replaces "checking" with "monitoring", suggesting a continuous observation over time.

you oversaw

Replaces "were checking" with "overseeing", suggesting a supervisory role in monitoring something.

you scrutinized

Substitutes "checking" with "scrutinized", implying a very detailed and critical examination.

you supervised

Similar to "overseeing", but emphasizes the act of directing and controlling activities.

you kept an eye on

Replaces "were checking" with an idiomatic expression meaning to watch something carefully.

FAQs

How can I use "you were checking" in a sentence?

You can use "you were checking" to describe a past action of verifying or examining something. For example: "I saw that "you were checking" the data for inconsistencies."

What are some alternatives to "you were checking"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "you were reviewing", "you were verifying", or "you were examining".

Is "you were checking" formal or informal?

"You were checking" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal settings might benefit from alternatives such as "you were inspecting" or "you were assessing".

What's the difference between "you were checking" and "you checked"?

"You were checking" implies an ongoing action in the past, while "you checked" implies a completed action. For example, "You were checking the oven when I walked in" suggests an ongoing process, while "You checked the oven before you left" indicates a completed action.