I was blocking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was blocking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is preventing access or stopping something from happening, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "During the game, I was blocking the opponent's path to the goal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"I was blocking 46".

The New York Times - Sports

I was blocking things out with drink.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I was blocking most of his punches.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was blocking it, I guess," she told Searcey.

The New Yorker

Now Johnny was pressing me, arguing that I was blocking myself from greater happiness.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You can't see it, but I was blocking the plate; guy's out".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"I was blocked in," Ms. Bonner-Moody testified.

The New York Times

So I was blocked out in that respect.

The New York Times

If I was blocked by fear, I was also stymied by inexperience.

The New Yorker

I thought I was blocked by heavy traffic, but no, there is a glitch.

The New York Times

I tried to introduce reforms but I was blocked and it carried on.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a physical action in sports, use "I was blocking" to clearly communicate the act of preventing an opponent's movement or progress.

Common error

Avoid using "I was blocking" when you mean simply 'ignoring' or 'avoiding' something emotionally. While it can imply a kind of mental obstruction, other phrases like "I was pushing it aside" are more precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was blocking" functions as a verbal phrase, specifically in the past continuous tense. According to Ludwig AI, it describes an action of preventing or obstructing that was in progress at a specific time in the past, like an action in course.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sports

25%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Huffington Post

5%

TechCrunch

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was blocking" is a common and grammatically correct verbal phrase used to describe a past action of obstructing or preventing something. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility, showing examples ranging from physical blocking in sports to metaphorical blocking of emotions or opportunities. The phrase holds a neutral register and appears frequently in news, sports, and lifestyle contexts. While "I was blocking" is most effective when clearly indicating an act of prevention or obstruction, be mindful of potentially vaguer, and less precise, usage contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was obstructing

This alternative directly replaces 'blocking' with 'obstructing', indicating a physical or metaphorical impediment.

I was preventing

This alternative conveys the idea of stopping something from happening, similar to blocking.

I was shielding

This suggests protecting something by interposing oneself, a specific type of blocking.

I was barricading

This implies creating a barrier to prevent access or movement, a more forceful form of blocking.

I was halting

This emphasizes stopping something in progress, akin to blocking its continuation.

I was impeding

This highlights the act of slowing down or hindering progress, a less direct form of blocking.

I was cutting off

This suggests stopping access or flow, often used in a more abrupt or forceful context.

I was shutting out

This implies preventing access or influence, often in an emotional or psychological sense.

I was screening

This suggests filtering or protecting something from view or access.

I was guarding

This highlights the act of protecting something, often from a specific threat.

FAQs

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

You can use "I was blocking" to describe physically preventing someone from moving, or metaphorically preventing something from happening. For example, "I was blocking the defender from reaching the quarterback" or "I was blocking out the negative thoughts".

What are some alternatives to "I was blocking"?

You can use alternatives like "I was obstructing", "I was preventing", or "I was shielding" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "I was blocking myself"?

Yes, it's correct. "I was blocking myself" implies you were hindering your own progress or preventing yourself from achieving something. This is often used metaphorically, such as "I was blocking myself from greater happiness".

What is the difference between "I was blocking" and "I was blocked"?

"I was blocking" means you were actively preventing something, while "I was blocked" means something or someone prevented you from doing something. For example, "I was blocking the door" versus "I was blocked from entering the room".