I was interviewing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was interviewing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a past action of conducting interviews, typically in a professional or research context. Example: "I was interviewing candidates for the marketing position last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

I was interviewing an elderly magician in hurricane-strewn Oklahoma.

The Guardian

We talked about the article I was interviewing her for.

The New Yorker

I was interviewing Gordon Brown when the tape came through.

The Guardian

I was interviewing Silverman for a book I'm writing.

The Guardian

One evening, two Hai'a members paused outside the cosmetics store where I was interviewing salesclerks.

The New Yorker

As I was interviewing him, it was impossible to ignore the two posters on his wall.

The New York Times

The words of the person I was interviewing became lost in a wind tunnel.

The New York Times

I was interviewing a very extreme jihadist-sympathizing mullah in the backroom of his mosque.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

(I was interviewed for the book).

The New Yorker

I was interviewed three times altogether.

The Guardian

I was interviewed by Mary Salerno, who's truly a pioneer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was interviewing" when you want to emphasize the ongoing nature of the interview process at a specific time in the past. It is particularly useful in narrative contexts to set the scene or describe concurrent actions.

Common error

Avoid using "I interviewed" when you specifically want to highlight the duration or ongoing nature of the interview process in the past. "I interviewed" implies a completed action, while "I was interviewing" emphasizes the activity itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was interviewing" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It describes an action (interviewing) that was in progress at a specific time in the past. As Ludwig indicates, it is a common and grammatically sound construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was interviewing" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to describe an ongoing action in the past. As Ludwig confirms, it is widely used in news and media contexts to provide background and context within a narrative. While suitable for both formal and informal communication, it maintains a neutral register. Related phrases, such as "I conducted an interview with" or "I held an interview with", can be used as alternatives depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remembering to use it when emphasizing the duration of the interview process is crucial to avoid tense confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I interviewed

Simple past tense, omitting the continuous aspect.

I conducted an interview with

Rephrases the action using "conducted" and specifies the recipient.

I held an interview with

Substitutes "was interviewing" with "held an interview", specifying the recipient.

I had an interview

General construction using a noun form of interview.

I spoke with

A more general phrase that implies a conversation, but might not be a formal interview.

I was speaking to

Similar to "I spoke with", but retains the continuous aspect.

I had a conversation with

Even more general term, implies a less structured interaction.

I questioned

Focuses on the act of asking questions, possibly in a more formal or investigative context.

I met with

Suggests a meeting took place, with the interview being the purpose.

I auditioned

Specifically for interviews related to job application.

FAQs

What's the difference between "I interviewed" and "I was interviewing"?

"I interviewed" implies a completed action, while "I was interviewing" emphasizes the activity and its duration in the past.

What are some alternatives to "I was interviewing"?

You can use alternatives like "I conducted an interview with", "I held an interview with", or "I spoke with" depending on the specific context.

How to use "I was interviewing" in a sentence?

You can use "I was interviewing" to describe an action in progress in the past, such as "I was interviewing candidates when the fire alarm went off."

Is "I was interviewing" formal or informal?

The phrase "I was interviewing" is considered neutral and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.