I was condemning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was condemning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a past action of expressing strong disapproval or criticism towards someone or something. Example: "During the meeting, I was condemning the unethical practices that had been reported."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

("I knew that, being Howard's producer, I was condemning myself to a lifetime of hearing impressions from strangers," he says ruefully).

The New Yorker

How could I teach him that you have to find something good in everyone when there I was condemning someone to death?

The New York Times - Magazine

So despite how I felt about the industry, if I was condemning but not offering solutions, all I'd be doing was vilifying the dancers.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I was condemned to a secondary role because I had nothing in particular to offer.

The New Yorker

I hadn't even begun shooting it and I was condemned".

The Guardian

I do have an experimental instinct and I thought that meant I was condemned to writing for completely obscure publishers.

The Guardian

"Unable to move for over half an hour, I was condemned to watch them cry for help, throw up, plead for their lives and die," he wrote.

Independent

In his book, he writes: "No one wanted to acknowledge that we were heading for an extremely serious downturn … I was condemned for having said no more than was true".

The Guardian

I already knew that the role I was condemned to, namely to keep quiet and do what I was told, gave me the perfect opportunity to listen and observe.

BBC

"I was condemned to be poor.

Huffington Post

The first question I was asked when I told people of my illness was whether I was OK – as in, "Are you dying?" – as though I was condemned, as though I had the words "terminally ill" tattooed across my eyelids.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was condemning" when you want to clearly state that you were expressing strong disapproval or criticism in the past. Ensure the context makes it clear what you were condemning and why.

Common error

While "I was condemning" is grammatically sound, it can sound overly formal or harsh in casual conversation. Consider using gentler alternatives like "I was criticizing" or "I disagreed with" to avoid sounding overly judgmental.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "I was condemning" is to express a past action of strongly disapproving or criticizing something. As seen in the provided examples on Ludwig, it's typically used to indicate a clear stance against a particular behavior, idea, or decision.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was condemning" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express strong disapproval or criticism in the past. Ludwig AI identifies it as suitable for various contexts, particularly within news and media, although it may sound overly formal in casual settings. Related phrases include "I criticized" and "I denounced", offering alternative ways to convey disapproval. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what you were condemning and why.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I criticized

Uses a direct synonym for "condemning", focusing on pointing out faults.

I denounced

Implies a stronger, more public form of condemnation.

I expressed disapproval

Replaces "condemning" with a more general term for showing disagreement.

I spoke out against

Implies a public or vocal opposition.

I rebuked

Suggests a formal or authoritative expression of disapproval.

I disapproved of

Emphasizes a personal feeling of disagreement or dislike.

I reproached

Highlights a mild expression of disapproval or disappointment.

I objected to

Focuses on formally raising an opposition.

I found fault with

Highlights the action of identifying errors or weaknesses.

I judged harshly

Focuses on the severity of the criticism.

FAQs

What does "I was condemning" mean?

It means that in the past, the speaker was expressing strong disapproval or criticism of someone or something.

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

You can use alternatives like "I criticized", "I denounced", or "I expressed disapproval" depending on the context.

Is "I was condemning" too strong for everyday conversation?

It can be. In informal settings, consider milder alternatives such as "I disagreed with" or "I criticized".

How do I use "I was condemning" in a sentence?

Make sure to follow it with a clear explanation of what you were condemning and why. For example, "I was condemning the decision to cut funding for education because it will harm students".