I was checking

USAGE SUMMARY

"I was checking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that you were in the process of looking into or verifying something. For example: I was checking the accuracy of the data before submitting the report.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was checking out some Selena Gomez".

The New York Times - Arts

I was checking the re-elicitation with her.

University of California, Berkeley

I was checking the news on the Internet.

MIT Technology Review

A moment later I was checking the weather report and the status of my I.R.A.

The New York Times - Magazine

I was, like, 'Did you read the news?' I was checking for reactions.

The New Yorker

Our catalog was getting updated and I was checking it on my laptop.

The New York Times

I was checking in at Dulles Airport for a KLM flight.

The New York Times

"When I was checking the swell that morning I was seeing giant, perfect lefts," he says.

The Guardian - Sport

As I was checking out, a well-dressed family from London was checking in.

The New York Times - Travel

"But mostly, I was checking golf scores instead of working," he said Thursday.

The New York Times - Sports

I was checking the locks in my apartment by page thirty.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was checking" to clearly indicate a past action of verifying or inspecting something. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Be specific about what you were checking. Instead of saying "I was checking," clarify "I was checking the data," or "I was checking for errors" to provide more context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was checking" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past action of examining, verifying, or inspecting something. As Ludwig AI says, this phrase is both correct and usable in written English, suitable for describing an ongoing process of verification.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was checking" is a versatile and commonly used phrase that describes a past action of examining, verifying, or inspecting something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. While suitable for both formal and informal contexts, more precise alternatives might be preferred in strictly professional or academic writing. The phrase sees frequent use in News & Media, Academia, and Science, highlighting its widespread applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was verifying

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the verification process.

I verified

Highlights the confirmation of accuracy or truth.

I was examining

Indicates a careful and detailed look at something.

I inspected

Focuses on a detailed examination, implying a more thorough assessment.

I looked into

Implies an investigation or inquiry into a matter.

I monitored

Suggests continuous observation over a period of time.

I investigated

Suggests a systematic or formal inquiry.

I scrutinized

Highlights a critical and detailed examination.

I assessed

Focuses on evaluating or judging the value of something.

I kept an eye on

Emphasizes watchful observation.

FAQs

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

You can use "I was checking" to describe a past action of verifying or inspecting something, as in "I was checking the news /s/on+the+internet" or "I was checking the locks in my apartment."

What's a good alternative to "I was checking"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "I was verifying", "I was examining", or "I was inspecting /s/i+inspected".

Is "I was checking on" different from "I was checking"?

"I was checking on" typically implies ensuring the well-being or status of someone or something, while "I was checking" generally means verifying or inspecting something. For example, "I was checking on him" versus "I was checking the report".

When is it appropriate to use "I was checking" in formal writing?

The phrase "I was checking" is generally acceptable in both formal and informal writing, though in very formal contexts, more precise alternatives like "I verified" or "I inspected" might be preferred.