I was doing something

USAGE SUMMARY

"I was doing something" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe an action you were taking in the past, for example: "I was doing something for school when I got a call from my friend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I thought I was doing something wrong".

The New York Times

That means I was doing something right".

The New York Times - Sports

"I knew I was doing something illegal," McNamee said.

The New York Times - Sports

Nothing fancy, but validation that I was doing something right.

The New York Times

It hurt because I thought I was doing something.

The Guardian

"People felt I was doing something weird," she says.

Nature

"I really thought I was doing something new.

The Guardian - Books

By fasting, I was doing something for God.

The New York Times

And also, I was doing something else, so I passed.

The Guardian - Film

They made it sound like I was doing something wrong".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Everyone seemed to think I was doing something crazy.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I was doing something", ensure the context clarifies the importance or relevance of the unspecified action. This can create intrigue or suggest the action's significance without explicitly stating it.

Common error

Avoid using "I was doing something" when specific details would add value or clarity to your writing. If the action is relevant, providing more information will enhance the reader's understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was doing something" functions as a clause element, specifically a subject-verb-object construction where "something" acts as a placeholder for an unspecified action. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science & Research

12%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was doing something" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for describing an action in progress in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is acceptable in a wide range of contexts. While extremely versatile, vague language can sometimes be a problem. While "I was doing something" appears most often in news and media, it is applicable across various registers, though specificity is preferred in formal or academic writing. Consider the impact and purpose of your language and evaluate whether specifying is more useful than generalizing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was working on something

Focuses on the labor or effort involved in the action.

I was in the process of doing something

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action.

I had something in progress

Highlights that some activity was in motion at a previous time.

I engaged in an activity

Replaces "doing something" with a more formal phrase, focusing on the act of engaging.

I was occupied with a task

Highlights the state of being busy with a specific task instead of a general action.

I was active with a pursuit

Replaces the general activity by being actively engaged in a specific pursuit.

I was involved in a project

Specifies the action as being part of a project, adding a layer of purpose.

I undertook an action

Presents a more formal and deliberate sense of taking action.

I devoted myself to an activity

Emphasizes dedication towards what was being pursued.

I dedicated my time to something

Focuses on allocation of time to activity.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "I was doing something" to be more specific?

Consider replacing "I was doing something" with phrases that specify the activity, like "I was working on a project", "I was conducting research", or "I was attending a meeting" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the vague phrase "I was doing something"?

Use "I was doing something" when the specific action is unimportant or irrelevant to the main point, or when you want to create suspense or mystery. For example, "I can't answer the phone right now; "I'm busy"."

What are some alternatives to "I was doing something" in formal writing?

In formal writing, opt for more precise language. Instead of "I was doing something", consider phrases like "I was engaged in", "I was involved in", or "I was occupied with" followed by a specific activity.

Is "I was doing something" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I was doing something" is grammatically correct. It uses the past continuous tense to describe an ongoing action in the past. However, ensure it fits the context and conveys the intended meaning. Sometimes using more specific terms may be beneficial.