I was balancing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was balancing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that was ongoing in the past, often referring to maintaining stability or equilibrium in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "I was balancing my work and personal life when I realized I needed to make some changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"The first two months of my rehab I was balancing this in my head, whether I wanted to come back," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

There were times when I was balancing five or six clients at once, and everyone wants to see houses at night or on the weekends.

The New York Times

My year group was the first to have to pay the coalition's tripled tuition fees and I was balancing the promise of a degree against the prospect of a cold and unforgiving venture into the world of work.

The Guardian - Opinion

One day, I was balancing a tray of coffee mugs in Park Slope while a child at Table 3 was trying to wrestle it out of my hands; another day, I was somehow entering the New York Times building for a job interview.

The New York Times - Sports

I thought it was because I was balancing both school and a job.

Huffington Post

And along with answering these emails, I was balancing school and coding for several hours a week for my application.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Most participants felt that the decision aid: (i) was balanced; (ii) presented information well; and (iii) helped them decide about driving.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

I was balanced on a railing, sketching the 400,000 strong march in support of the Madrid general strike.

Vice

"I'm balancing safety and rights," Mr. Newsom said.

The New York Times

I have always been aware that I am balancing composition against decomposition.

Independent

"I'm balancing plates on my goddamn nose is what I'm doing," he said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was balancing" to describe situations where you were actively trying to maintain equilibrium, whether physically or metaphorically, between different elements or responsibilities. It implies a continuous effort.

Common error

Avoid using "I was balancing" to describe a single, completed action. Instead, use a simple past tense verb like "I balanced" to describe something that has already finished. For example, say "I balanced the budget" instead of "I was balancing the budget" if the task is done.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was balancing" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. Ludwig's examples show it describing an action in progress, often implying the management of multiple things simultaneously or the act of maintaining physical or metaphorical equilibrium. This construction emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action in the past.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was balancing" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase in the past continuous tense. As confirmed by Ludwig, it effectively describes an ongoing action in the past, implying a continuous effort to maintain equilibrium or manage multiple responsibilities. It's versatile enough for news articles, scientific papers, and personal narratives. The key to correct usage is ensuring the context reflects an action in progress, as opposed to a single, completed event. Alternatives like "I was managing" or "I was juggling" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey. As Ludwig's AI response states, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was managing

A more general term, lacking the specific connotation of balancing multiple items or ideas.

I was handling

Similar to managing, but can also refer to dealing with a difficult situation.

I maintained equilibrium

Emphasizes stability but lacks the potential implication of managing multiple things.

I was stabilising

Implies a continuous action of making stable an instable object.

I was coping with

Suggests dealing with something challenging, adding a sense of difficulty.

I kept my balance

Focuses solely on physical or metaphorical stability, less about juggling tasks.

I was coordinating

Focuses on organizing different elements, losing the sense of precariousness.

I juggled responsibilities

Highlights the act of managing multiple tasks, less about maintaining stability.

I was administering

More formal, implying a structured management of something.

I was poised

Focuses on stability and readiness, but implies a more controlled state.

FAQs

How can I use "I was balancing" in a sentence?

You can use "I was balancing" to describe an ongoing action in the past where you were trying to keep things in equilibrium. For example, "I was balancing my studies and a part-time job last semester."

What are some alternatives to saying "I was balancing"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "I was managing", "I was juggling", or "I was handling".

Is it correct to say "I was balancing" or should I use another tense?

"I was balancing" is grammatically correct when describing an action that was in progress in the past. Using a different tense, such as "I balanced", implies a completed action. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "I was balancing" and "I balanced"?

"I was balancing" describes an ongoing action in the past, while "I balanced" describes a completed action. For instance, "I was balancing the accounts all afternoon" suggests the action was ongoing, while "I balanced the accounts yesterday" indicates it was completed at a specific time.