I was fixing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was fixing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that was in progress in the past, typically referring to repairing or correcting something. Example: "I was fixing the leaky faucet when I realized I needed a new part."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"I really thought I was fixing to go home that day".

The New York Times

I found out they knew about the wedding as I was fixing dinner one evening.

The New York Times

"I had this terrible need to feel like I was fixing something," he said.

The New York Times

About five years ago, I fell off a roof while I was fixing slates.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I was fixing to go home, and sitting in the front of the store," said Wanda Brown, a Sonic employee.

The New York Times

When I was fixing up my office, I found these three grocery bags from a previous occupant filled with documents and pedigrees for a Vermont family with HHT.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Similarly, when M i was fixed at greater lengths, growth parameters evolved to maximize attainable length.

Evolutionary Applications

In CS-TDMA, the number of CPs for ship i, n i is fixed to 10 [2].

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

We assume that all inputs other than x i are fixed.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Note that in practice δ and the n(x i ) are fixed in an application.

Journal of Statistical Distributions and Applications

The ν i are fixed at 1 for all classes except the heterozygous class, which is fixed at 1.3.

Bioinformatics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was fixing" to clearly indicate that you were in the process of repairing or correcting something at a specific time in the past. It implies an ongoing action rather than a completed one.

Common error

Avoid using "I was fixing" when you want to describe a completed action. Instead, use "I fixed" to indicate that you have finished the repair or correction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was fixing" functions as a verb phrase, specifically the past continuous tense of the verb "fix". It describes an action that was in progress at a particular time in the past. Ludwig shows many instances of this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was fixing" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to express an ongoing action of repairing or correcting something in the past. Ludwig confirms this with multiple real-world examples. While broadly applicable, it's important to differentiate it from "I fixed", which denotes a completed action. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for diverse contexts, ranging from news reports to casual conversation. Avoiding its misuse by ensuring it reflects an action in progress will help maintain clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was repairing

Focuses specifically on the act of repairing something broken.

I was mending

Implies repairing something, typically fabric or clothing.

I was adjusting

Highlights making small changes to improve something.

I was correcting

Emphasizes rectifying an error or mistake.

I was resolving

Suggests dealing with a problem or issue.

I was troubleshooting

Specifically refers to identifying and solving problems, often with technology.

I was setting right

Suggests restoring something to its correct or proper state.

I was taking care of

Broadly indicates attending to or dealing with something.

I was in the process of repairing

More formal way of expressing the same idea, adding emphasis on the ongoing nature of the action.

I was working on

Indicates being engaged in a task or project, which could involve fixing something.

FAQs

What does "I was fixing" mean?

The phrase "I was fixing" indicates an action that was in progress in the past, typically referring to repairing or correcting something. For example, "I was fixing the car when it started to rain."

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

You can use alternatives like "I was repairing", "I was mending", or "I was adjusting" depending on the specific context.

Is "I was fixing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I was fixing" is grammatically correct. It uses the past continuous tense, which is appropriate for describing an action that was ongoing at a specific time in the past.

What is the difference between "I was fixing" and "I fixed"?

"I was fixing" implies an action in progress, while "I fixed" indicates a completed action. For instance, "I was fixing the bicycle" means you were in the process of repairing it. "I fixed the bicycle" means you completed the repair.