I was conquering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was conquering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action of overcoming challenges or achieving victories in the past. Example: "During my journey, I was conquering my fears and pushing my limits every day."

✓ Grammatically correct

British Journal of General Practice

The Economist

Huffington Post

The Guardian - TV & Radio

BBC

Vice

The New York Times - Sports

The New York Times - Arts

Encyclopedia Britannica

Wikipedia

Independent

Science Magazine

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

WikiHow

The New Yorker

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Because I was conquering it, but then I'd say I weren't thinking about a fag for 2 or 3 hours, then I'd get a text message off you.

British Journal of General Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

When Franklin Roosevelt opened the Hoover dam in 1935, he was spellbound: "I came, I saw, and I was conquered".

The Economist

Then one day, a female English mastiff puppy looked at me with big, black eyes and I was conquered with equal ease.

Huffington Post

I've conquered this mountain, just as I'm conquering your heart.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I'm conquering them one by one".

BBC

I am conquering my illness; I am defeating it steadily each day.

Huffington Post

When I play Dark Souls I feel like I am conquering a world.

Vice

But I continue to grow and learn and I'm conquering new fears all the time.

Huffington Post

Getting to this point in my life, a point where I'm conquering both the fears I was hyperaware of, and those I didn't even know existed, has not been an easy process.

Huffington Post

Their ultimate goal was conquering America.

The New York Times

Mike Mussina was conquering a crossword puzzle.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was conquering" to describe ongoing efforts to overcome challenges or achieve significant goals in the past. Ensure the context clearly indicates what you were conquering, whether it's a personal fear, a professional obstacle, or a strategic objective.

Common error

Avoid using "I was conquering" to describe situations where there's no active challenge or effort involved. This phrase implies a dynamic process of overcoming something, so it's inappropriate for static or passive scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the phrase "I was conquering" is as a verb phrase indicating an action in progress in the past. It's a dynamic expression denoting an ongoing effort to overcome or achieve something, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Huffington Post

17%

Vice

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedia Britannica

2%

Wiki

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was conquering" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase to describe an ongoing effort to overcome challenges or achieve goals in the past. According to Ludwig AI, it is most frequently found in news and media, huffington post and Vice contexts. While versatile, it's best used to convey a dynamic process rather than a static state. When aiming for a more formal tone, consider synonyms like "I was overcoming" or "I was prevailing". Always ensure the context aligns with the active and progressive nature of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was overcoming

Focuses more on the process of dealing with difficulties rather than complete victory.

I was prevailing

Emphasizes emerging as the stronger party after a challenge or conflict.

I was mastering

Highlights gaining expertise or control over something through learning and practice.

I was triumphing

Conveys a sense of great success or victory after a significant struggle.

I was succeeding

Indicates achieving a desired outcome or goal, often in a professional or personal context.

I was dominating

Implies a strong and decisive control over a situation or opponent.

I was achieving

Focuses on the successful attainment of specific goals or objectives.

I was winning

Suggests emerging victorious in a competition or conflict.

I was advancing

Emphasizes making progress or moving forward towards a goal.

I was progressing

Highlights the gradual improvement or development in a particular area.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "I was conquering" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "I was overcoming", "I was prevailing", or "I was mastering". These options offer similar meanings but carry a slightly more professional or sophisticated nuance.

Is "I was conquering" appropriate for describing internal struggles?

Yes, "I was conquering" can effectively describe internal struggles, such as overcoming fears or managing anxieties. It emphasizes the active effort involved in dealing with these challenges, as illustrated by Ludwig examples.

What's the difference between "I was conquering" and "I conquered"?

"I was conquering" implies an ongoing process in the past, whereas "I conquered" suggests a completed action. For example, "I was conquering my fear of public speaking" suggests an ongoing effort, while "I conquered my fear of public speaking" implies the fear is now completely overcome.

Can "I was conquering" be used in a business context?

Yes, "I was conquering" is suitable for describing achievements and overcoming challenges in a business context. However, ensure the tone aligns with the company's culture. Alternatives like "I was achieving" might be preferable in more formal settings.