I was finalizing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was finalizing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an action that was in progress in the past, specifically related to completing or concluding something. Example: "I was finalizing the report when the power went out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

I am finalizing a crowd-created book, titled Innovating Women, that builds on Sandberg's work.

TechCrunch

Now, I am finalizing the writing of my first book (a lifelong dream) and I've expanded to my career to include consulting and mentoring other women (particular budding entrepreneurs), which is work that I truly enjoy.

Huffington Post

I'm ending today like in a movie when it's too long, like Kill Bill Vol. 1 and Kill Bill Vol. 2, I'm dividing the project into two albums, one being released in October and while I'm talking to you I'm finalizing the mixing of part two with other collaborators.

Huffington Post

Even the date it was finalized was a secret.

The New York Times

I was here years ago when Idylwood, the band I played with, was finalizing a CD of original rock and pop songs.

The Washington Post

I hadn't backed up my files in a long time, and I've been finalizing my second book".

Huffington Post

After my purchase was finalized, I didn't even get a handshake from the finance guy when I left the dealership.

Forbes

"But once my adoption was finalized, I was on the phone the next day with the media saying, 'Now I can talk to you.'".

Huffington Post

Today the fallout was finalized — I was stripped of my leadership position".

The New Yorker

After that was finalized, I flattened the colors out a bit and used the headless Customink guy to model the Preview shirt.

Princeton University

When the deal was finalized, I and 18 other female members of Congress sent a letter to President Clinton opposing the budget deal unless the global gag rule was reversed in the next budget cycle.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was finalizing" when you want to specifically convey that you were in the process of putting the last touches on something, implying a sense of near completion. It's suitable for describing a task that requires careful attention to detail.

Common error

Avoid using "finalizing" in very casual conversations where simpler terms like "finishing" or "wrapping up" would be more appropriate. "Finalizing" carries a tone of formality that might sound out of place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was finalizing" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action in progress in the past. It describes the act of bringing something to its final, completed state. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was finalizing" is a grammatically correct and usable verb phrase that describes an action in progress in the past, specifically referring to the completion of a task. While not extremely common, it is found in various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. When using this phrase, remember that it is best suited for contexts where you want to emphasize the near-completion and detailed attention given to the final stages of a task. For more casual settings, consider alternatives like "I was finishing up". Related phrases include "I was completing" and "I was wrapping up". Overall, "I was finalizing" is a useful phrase to have in your vocabulary when precision and formality are desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was completing

Focuses on the act of finishing, with a slightly broader scope than finalizing.

I was finishing up

Implies bringing something to a close, often used in informal contexts.

I was putting the finishing touches on

Highlights the last, often detailed, steps of completion.

I was wrapping up

Suggests concluding a task or project, often in preparation for something else.

I was putting the final touches to

Highlights the final stages of completion, more formal than "finishing up".

I was in the process of completing

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of finishing a task.

I was about to complete

Highlights proximity to completion; implies the act was nearly done.

I was in the final stages of

Highlights proximity to completion but less on the action more on the situation.

I was in the last phase of

Emphasizes being near the end of a multi-stage task.

I was settling

Emphasizes the action of completing a settlement, typically in legal or formal contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "I was finalizing" to describe the act of completing the last steps of a task. For example, "I was finalizing the report when I received an urgent call."

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

You can use alternatives like "I was completing", "I was finishing up", or "I was wrapping up" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "I was finalizing" or "I finalized"?

"I was finalizing" indicates an ongoing action in the past, while "I finalized" indicates a completed action in the past. Use "I was finalizing" when describing an action in progress.

What's the difference between "I was finalizing" and "I was finishing"?

"I was finalizing" often implies completing the very last steps or details of a task, whereas "I was finishing" is a more general term for bringing something to a close. The former has a more formal and precise tone.