I was communicating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was communicating" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action of conveying information or messages in the past. Example: "During the meeting, I was communicating my ideas clearly to the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

What if I thought I was communicating one thing but what people understood was something else — what if what they understood was that I disapproved of them and thought their way of life was backward?

The New Yorker

What if I thought I was communicating one thing but what people understood was something else what if what they understood was that I disapproved of them and thought their way of life was backward?

The New Yorker

Within weeks of presenting my credentials to Bush that June, I was communicating with campaign officials in both parties, and soon had meetings with aides to both Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama.

The Washington Post

"It doesn't matter if you call him Willy, he'll still call you sir," I read out, suddenly and uncomfortably aware of the weird, hard-to-pin-down presumptions that lay behind this line – and not quite sure what I was communicating to that kid at the back.

The Guardian - Books

Days later, after a chaste overnight, and despite having by then developed some patience, Ms. Lucas asked, "Is it normal for you to spend the night at women's houses?" "I was communicating a lot of ambiguity," Mr. Kass, also 37, admits.

The New York Times

"It took me four months to confirm that the person I was communicating [with] was in fact Assange". Lamo asked how he would get in touch with Assange and Manning told him simply "he would come to you", although when pressed he said he used an encrypted online chat programme.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"I was communicated with very openly and with integrity.

The Guardian - Sport

"I feel I'm communicating well with the players and most of the time the communication is about gestures rather than verbal communicatio," he said.

The New York Times

I thought, I'm communicating with this bird!

The New Yorker

When I play, I feel like I am communicating with the composers.

The New York Times

Right now, I am communicating implications of a new five-year strategy on the organization's structure.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was communicating" when you want to emphasize the process of exchanging information or ideas over a period of time, rather than a single instance of communication.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "I was communicating" can sometimes sound less direct or active than alternatives like "I informed" or "I told", especially in formal writing. Consider the desired tone and impact when choosing your words.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was communicating" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past action of conveying information. Examples on Ludwig show it used in various contexts, such as describing interactions with family or campaign officials.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was communicating" is a grammatically correct way to describe the past act of conveying information, as supported by Ludwig. While appropriate in many contexts, especially news and media, it's essential to consider the desired tone and impact, as alternatives might offer more directness. Ludwig shows that usage varies, but the phrase remains a valid option for expressing ongoing communication. Related options include "I conveyed" or "I expressed", depending on what you want to emphasize. Ludwig AI also confirms that the sentence is correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I conveyed

Focuses on the act of transmitting a message or information.

I expressed

Highlights the act of putting thoughts or feelings into words.

I informed

Emphasizes providing someone with knowledge or news.

I discussed

Suggests a conversation or exchange of ideas.

I interacted with

Highlights the reciprocal nature of communication.

I corresponded with

Implies written communication over a period of time.

I was in contact with

Focuses on maintaining a connection.

I had a dialogue with

Emphasizes a formal or structured conversation.

I kept someone updated

Highlights the regular provision of information.

I made clear

Focuses on ensuring understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "I conveyed", "I expressed", or "I informed" depending on the specific context.

How can I make my writing more concise than using "I was communicating"?

To be more concise, try using stronger verbs that imply communication, such as "I explained", "I reported", or "I advised".

Is "I was communicating" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically sound, "I was communicating" can sometimes sound less direct. Consider alternatives like "I submitted", "I notified", or other stronger verbs for formal contexts.

What's the difference between "I communicated" and "I was communicating"?

"I communicated" suggests a completed act of communication, whereas "I was communicating" implies an ongoing or repeated process of communication over a period of time.