I was exiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was exiting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of leaving a place or situation in the past. Example: "As I was exiting the building, I noticed the beautiful sunset."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

As I was exiting him, he threw this DVD into my computer.

The New York Times - Arts

"Second, scholarships were just being introduced at the time I was exiting the collegiate ranks.

The New York Times - Sports

As I was exiting the train, someone turned to me and asked if I had left my Kindle.

The New York Times

This morning, I was broadsided by another cyclist as I was exiting the Westside Highway bike path at 30th Street.

The New York Times

Earlier this year, two officers approached me as I was exiting Tokyo Station and asked to see an ID and the contents of my purse.

The New York Times

As I was exiting, I quickly asked the driver if the stop at 52nd Street was a permanent or temporary skip.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Files are provided as Google Earth KMZ, shapefiles (.shp), ESRI geodatabase and as I was exited to see: as.RData files.

Stanford University

Having covered the boom and bust of the e-commerce industry, and then the boom and bust of the mortgage industry, I'm exiting the mobile apps beat before I see death and destruction again.

The New York Times - Tech

I am exiting my life as an oncologist after 22 years of practice because I have always lived below my means and my wonderful father, child of the Depression, taught me well that living frugally means freedom.

The New York Times

As I'm exiting the book party, she is holding a cosmetic compact labeled "powder".

Forbes

If people are tearing you down and making you feel like you're less than then tell them "Unless you can speak respectfully to me about this then I'm exiting the conversation".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was exiting" to clearly indicate the action of leaving a specific place or situation at a particular time in the past. This phrasing works well in narrative contexts to describe a specific moment.

Common error

Avoid using "I am exiting" when describing a past event. The present continuous tense implies the action is happening now, whereas "I was exiting" correctly places the action in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was exiting" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence. It describes an action (exiting) that was in progress at a specific point in the past. Ludwig examples show this phrase commonly used to narrate events or describe a scene.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

12%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was exiting" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase to describe the action of leaving a place or situation in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, highlighting its prevalence in "News & Media" and academic contexts. While alternatives like "I was leaving" exist, "I was exiting" offers a specific nuance of departing from a defined location. Using the phrase correctly involves maintaining the past tense and ensuring it fits the narrative context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was leaving

Emphasizes the act of departing without specific details about the manner of leaving.

I was departing

Suggests a more formal or planned departure.

I was going out

Focuses on the action of moving out of a place.

I was getting out

Highlights the process of removing oneself from a location, possibly implying difficulty.

I was stepping out

Indicates a brief or casual departure.

I was walking out

Specifies that the departure involved walking.

I was withdrawing

Implies removing oneself from an activity or involvement.

I was retreating

Suggests moving back or away from a situation, possibly due to danger or discomfort.

I was clearing out

Indicates a more thorough or decisive departure, possibly implying emptying a space.

I was evacuating

Suggests leaving urgently due to an emergency or dangerous situation.

FAQs

What's the difference between "I was exiting" and "I was leaving"?

While both phrases indicate departure, "I was exiting" can imply a more specific point of departure, such as a building or vehicle, while "I was leaving" is a more general statement of departure from a place or situation.

How can I use "I was exiting" in a sentence?

You can use "I was exiting" to describe the action of leaving a place. For example, "As "I was exiting" the theater, I bumped into an old friend." or "I was exiting the building when the alarm went off".

What are some alternatives to "I was exiting" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "I was departing", "I was going out", or "I was getting out".

Is "I was exiting" formal or informal?

"I was exiting" is generally considered a neutral phrase, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The formality often depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.