I was going

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was going" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "I was going to the store when I remembered I had forgotten my wallet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I was going, too.

The New Yorker

I was going vertical.

The New York Times - Sports

I was going further north.

The New Yorker

I was going for it".

The New York Times - Sports

I was going to learn".

The New York Times

"I was going too fast".

The New York Times

I was going so fast.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was going to semiretire.

The New York Times

I was going through divorce.

The New Yorker

I was going to fly.

The New Yorker

I was going to scream.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was going" to describe an action that was in progress or intended in the past. Ensure the context clearly indicates whether the action was completed or not.

Common error

Avoid using "I was going" without clarifying whether the intended action was completed or interrupted. Provide additional context to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was going" primarily functions as part of a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It indicates an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was going" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe a past intention, plan, or action in progress. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it's important to provide sufficient context to clarify whether the intended action was completed or interrupted. Alternatives like "I intended to go" or "I planned to go" can be used to add emphasis or nuance to the meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I intended to go

Emphasizes intention or planned action more explicitly than the original phrase.

I planned to go

Similar to 'I intended to go' but highlights the planning aspect.

I was about to go

Indicates immediacy, suggesting the action was on the verge of happening.

I had plans to go

Focuses on the existence of a pre-existing arrangement.

I was scheduled to go

Implies a formal or organized arrangement.

I anticipated going

Highlights expectation or anticipation of the event.

I expected to go

Similar to 'I anticipated going' but with a slightly lower degree of certainty.

I was on my way to

Describes the action of traveling toward a destination.

I aimed to go

Highlights ambition and aspiration toward an event.

My destination was

Changes the focus to the destination rather than the act of going.

FAQs

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

Use "I was going" to describe a past intention or action in progress, like "I was going to study, but I fell asleep" or "I was going home when I saw the accident."

What are some alternatives to "I was going"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "I intended to go", "I planned to go", or "I was about to go".

Is it correct to say "I was go" instead of "I was going"?

No, "I was go" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "I was going", which uses the past continuous tense.

What's the difference between "I was going to" and "I went to"?

"I was going to" implies an intention or plan that may or may not have been fulfilled, while "I went to" indicates a completed action of going to a specific place.