I was judging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was judging" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when reflecting on a past action of forming an opinion or assessment about someone or something. Example: "I was judging the performance of the contestants during the talent show."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

"Today I was judging a dog show".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I was judging the TS Eliot Prize.

The Guardian - Books

But if I was judging myself, it was subconsciously.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I was judging the fact that Minny was an abused wife and didn't leave," she said.

The New York Times

HJP 9.34pm BST Apologies to those who thought I was judging Ellie Goulding by her appearance.

The Guardian - Music

I watched Coombes advance through the competition, frustrated that she wasn't one of the competitors the week I was judging.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

PAM13-I was judged clear and acceptable and the final version was created by consensus.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

"I was judged for that too," she said.

Independent

I was judged by standards I understood".

Vice

And that's where I was judged a lot.

Vice

I was judged massively at uni; it was awful.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I was judging", ensure the context clearly indicates what or whom you were evaluating. Providing specific details enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

While "I was judging" is acceptable, overuse in casual conversation can sound overly critical. Consider using softer alternatives like "I was assessing" or "I was observing" to maintain a more neutral tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the phrase "I was judging" is as a verb phrase expressing a past continuous action. It indicates that the speaker was in the process of forming an opinion or evaluation at some point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Huffington Post

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was judging" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase to describe a past continuous action of evaluation or assessment. Ludwig AI indicates that this expression is widely accepted and used across a variety of sources, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral, it's important to consider the context and potential implications of sounding overly critical; in more informal settings, softer alternatives like "I was assessing" or "I was observing" might be more appropriate. Ensure clarity by specifying the object of judgment and avoid overuse to maintain a balanced and nuanced tone in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I evaluated

Replaces "judging" with a more neutral term for assessment.

I assessed

Similar to "evaluated" but implies a more detailed examination.

I was assessing

Uses the continuous tense like the original, but with "assessing".

I was evaluating

Uses the continuous tense like the original, but with "evaluating".

I appraised

Suggests a formal evaluation, often for determining value.

I formed an opinion on

Focuses on the outcome of the judgment process.

I passed judgment on

Emphasizes the act of delivering a verdict or decision.

I determined

Highlights the decision-making aspect of judging.

I weighed up

Indicates a careful consideration of different factors.

I considered

Implies a general reflection without necessarily making a firm decision.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "I evaluated", "I assessed", or "I formed an opinion on" depending on the context.

Is "I was judging" too harsh in some situations?

Yes, in informal contexts, "I was judging" can sound overly critical. Consider alternatives like "I was assessing" or "I was observing" to soften the tone.

How do I use "I was judging" in a sentence?

Ensure the sentence clearly states what or whom you were evaluating. For example, "I was judging the entries in the photography competition" provides clear context.

What's the difference between "I was judging" and "I judged"?

"I was judging" implies an ongoing process of evaluation in the past, while "I judged" suggests a completed act of forming an opinion or decision at a specific point in the past.