I was interning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was interning" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a past experience of working as an intern, typically in a professional or educational context. Example: "During the summer of 2022, I was interning at a marketing firm, where I gained valuable experience in social media management."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

I remember when I was interning at Salomon Brothers – in those days a venerable firm.

The Guardian - Opinion

Behind the scenes: It was an extended-stay hotel, and we had some older guests, and a couple of them died while I was interning.

The New York Times

I was interning with a platform product management team, which required interacting with a large number of stakeholders.

University of California, Berkeley

I was interning with a team of Tokyo architects and, with two Swiss and Canadian friends, was sampling a new cafe.

The Guardian

When I was interning at 3M and Ecolab over the summers, I really felt like I was following the right path.

Harvard University

However, when I visited I was interning at an NGO in Istanbul, and the community at the Global Center could not have been more welcoming and supportive.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

During the three years that I was interned by the Japanese my reading followed a new set of fracture lines.

The Guardian - Books

My family had recently moved to New York from my native Argentina, and when I caught pneumonia, I was interned in the isolation ward of a Manhattan hospital.

The New York Times

That includes me – I'm interning at Amnesty International, studying for an MA in international development in the evenings and I work as a receptionist at a pilates studio.

The Guardian

This summer I am interning within the Cornell Nutrient Management Spear Program working on the Sustainable Dairy Project.

Cornell University

My name is Marissa, and I'm interning in Geneva, NY as an intern for a researcher named Thomas Bjorkman.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was interning" to clearly establish the timeframe and context of your internship experience. Make sure it's followed by details about the company, role, or relevant projects.

Common error

Avoid switching tenses mid-sentence when discussing your past internship. Maintain consistent past tense to clearly convey the completed nature of the experience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was interning" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past continuous action. It establishes that the speaker was in the process of completing an internship at a specific point in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a grammatically correct way to describe a past experience.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

31%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was interning" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a past internship experience. Ludwig confirms its proper usage, and example sentences demonstrate its versatility across various contexts, including news, academia, and professional settings. When using this phrase, ensure you provide specific details about the internship to make your experience more impactful. Remember to maintain consistent past tense to avoid confusion. Based on the evidence from Ludwig, "I was interning" serves to give information about the past, establish a background, or give more context about an event that occurred during that time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I held an internship

Emphasizes the act of possessing or holding the internship position.

I served as an intern

Highlights the role and function performed during the internship.

I undertook an internship

Focuses on the action of beginning and carrying out the internship.

I participated in an internship program

Highlights involvement in a structured program.

I completed an internship

Emphasizes the successful finalization of the internship.

I spent time as an intern

Focuses on the duration of the internship experience.

My internship involved

Shifts the focus to the activities and responsibilities of the internship.

I was engaged in an internship

Highlights the active involvement and commitment to the internship.

During my internship

Sets a temporal context for describing events that happened during the internship.

I gained experience as an intern

Emphasizes the acquisition of skills and knowledge through the internship.

FAQs

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

Use "I was interning" to describe a past internship experience, providing context about the company, your role, and the time period. For example, "I was interning at Google during the summer of 2024."

What are some alternatives to "I was interning"?

You can use alternatives like "I held an internship", "I served as an intern", or "I undertook an internship" to describe your past internship experiences.

Is it better to say "I interned" or "I was interning"?

Both "I interned" and "I was interning" are grammatically correct. "I interned" is simpler and more direct, while "I was interning" provides a bit more context about the duration or ongoing nature of the internship at a specific time.

What information should I include when using "I was interning" in a cover letter?

When using "I was interning" in a cover letter, specify the company name, your role, the dates of the internship, and a brief description of your key responsibilities and accomplishments. This provides valuable context to potential employers.