I was combating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was combating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an ongoing struggle or effort against something, such as an issue, problem, or opponent. Example: "I was combating my fears during the presentation, trying to stay calm and focused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"That's how I was combating it.

The Guardian - Books

Like Barrett, I come from small-town Ireland; maybe this was a weird kind of homesickness I was combating, my wanting, suddenly, to be in a place with pool tables, where you could hear "the prompt gurgle of a ball rattlingly sunk".

Vice

And so, as fate would have it, I found myself back at Don Lemon's desk recently, live on the air, to talk about living with HIV and how I was combating stigma with weapons of joy and good humor (pictured, with video below).

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"I am combating them through conviction, not because the people are imposing it on us.

The New York Times

Now the government claims it is combating acts of vandalism and terrorism by the BNP.

The Economist

While the defense was combating obstacles, offensive players were combating terrorists — on a simulator.

The New York Times - Sports

This month's MDG focus was combating HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.

The Guardian

This problem was combated by a starvation diet and by pumping water into the digester.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

"One thing I'm proud of myself for doing is combating those feelings," she says, when those professed second thoughts are mentioned.

The New York Times

As I've written in the past, the large platform companies are combating across a host of surface areas.

TechCrunch

I could only express to her that #BlackLivesMatter and #antiIslamophobia work are combating the very same problematic ideology.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was combating" to clearly express your active efforts to overcome a specific obstacle or challenge. Ensure the context provides a clear understanding of what you were opposing.

Common error

Avoid using "I was combating" with abstract nouns that don't represent tangible challenges. For example, instead of saying "I was combating happiness", consider rephrasing to accurately represent your intended meaning, such as "I was suppressing my happiness".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was combating" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past, continuous action of actively opposing or fighting against something. As Ludwig indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for describing efforts to overcome challenges.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was combating" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe actively opposing or fighting against something in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most frequently found in news and media contexts. While grammatically correct, it's relatively rare. When using the phrase, ensure you're referring to a tangible challenge and not an abstract concept. Alternatives include "I was fighting against", "I was battling", and "I was struggling with". These alternatives help convey similar meanings with slight variations in intensity and focus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was fighting against

Emphasizes active opposition or struggle.

I was battling

Suggests a more intense and prolonged struggle.

I was struggling with

Highlights the difficulty and effort involved.

I was dealing with

Focuses on the process of handling or managing a situation.

I was tackling

Implies a direct and proactive approach to a problem.

I was opposing

Highlights resistance or disagreement.

I was countering

Focuses on neutralizing or offsetting an effect.

I was resisting

Emphasizes the act of holding back or preventing something.

I was warding off

Suggests preventing something harmful from affecting you.

I was defending against

Implies protecting oneself or something from an attack.

FAQs

What does "I was combating" mean?

The phrase "I was combating" means that you were actively fighting against or trying to overcome something. It implies an ongoing effort to oppose or neutralize a particular challenge or issue.

What can I say instead of "I was combating"?

You can use alternatives like "I was fighting against", "I was battling", or "I was struggling with" depending on the context.

Is "I was combating" formal or informal?

"I was combating" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it might be slightly more common in news or journalistic writing.

How to use "I was combating" in a sentence?

You can use "I was combating" to describe your actions against a specific problem or opposition, such as "I was combating the spread of misinformation by sharing accurate information".