The phrase "were striking" is spelled using the letter "e" in "were" and the combination of letters "str" in "striking". The IPA phonetic transcription for this phrase is /wɜr ˈstraɪkɪŋ/. The letter "e" in "were" is pronounced with a schwa sound [ə], while the combination of letters "str" in "striking" are pronounced with a consonant cluster consisting of the sibilant sound [s], a flap or trill sound [ɾ], and the voiced velar fricative sound [ɣ].
The phrase "were striking" is the past continuous tense of the verb "to strike," used in combination with the helping verb "were." The term "striking" can be defined as having a strong and noticeable impact or effect on someone or something. When used in the past continuous tense, "were striking" refers to an action or event that was occurring in the past and specifically emphasizes the impact or effect it had at that particular time.
"Striking" can also imply that something is visually remarkable or attention-grabbing. In this context, "were striking" describes a situation or appearance that immediately catches one's attention due to its distinctiveness or uniqueness. It can refer to anything that stands out or is visually impressive.
Furthermore, "were striking" can be used metaphorically to describe the forcefulness of an action or event. It implies that the impact or results were significant and left a lasting impression. This can refer to different areas, such as a striking performance, an impactful speech, or a memorable occurrence.
In summary, the phrase "were striking" denotes a past continuous action that had a strong impact, visually stood out, or left a vivid impression. It encompasses the concept of being noticeable, visually remarkable, and powerful in its effects.
The word "were striking" consists of two components: "were" and "striking".
The term "were" is the past tense form of the verb "be". It comes from Old English "wǣre", which ultimately derives from Proto-Germanic "wēz", meaning "to be" or "to exist".
The term "striking" is the present participle form of the verb "strike". It is derived from Middle English "striken", which comes from Old English "strīcan" and Proto-Germanic "strīkaną", meaning "to touch lightly" or "to stroke".
Thus, the etymology of "were striking" combines the past tense form of the verb "be" with the present participle form of the verb "strike" to describe an action or state that occurred in the past.