I was making

USAGE SUMMARY

"I was making" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about something you were doing before you stopped, for example, "I was making dinner when you called."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I was making everyone laugh.

The New Yorker

I was making development here.

The New York Times

I was making good money".

The New York Times

"I was making small talk.

The New York Times

I was making progress.

The New Yorker

They - I was making room.

Cornell University

I sensed I was making progress.

The New Yorker

That was the point I was making".

The New York Times

"I was making a TV show.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

I was made redundant.

The Guardian

Shortly afterwards, I was made redundant.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was making" to describe an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. For instance, "I was making dinner when the phone rang."

Common error

Avoid using "I was making" to describe a completed action in the past. Instead, use the simple past tense: "I made a cake" rather than "I was making a cake" (if you've already finished it).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was making" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action that was in progress in the past. The auxiliary verb 'was' combined with the present participle 'making' forms the past continuous tense. This tense is used to describe actions happening at a specific time in the past or actions that were interrupted, which aligns with the examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was making" is a verb phrase in the past continuous tense, used to describe ongoing actions in the past. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and very common across a range of contexts, especially News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure you're describing an action that was in progress, not one that was completed (for which the simple past tense would be more appropriate). Also, remember to use "I used to make" or "I would make" when talking about habitual actions in the past.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I created

Focuses more on the act of bringing something new into existence.

I produced

Highlights the outcome or result of a process.

I constructed

Emphasizes the building or assembling of something.

I built

Similar to 'constructed', but often implies a simpler process.

I developed

Suggests a gradual process of growth or improvement.

I generated

Implies the creation of something, often energy or data.

I formed

Suggests shaping or molding something into a specific form.

I crafted

Highlights the skill and artistry involved in the making process.

I prepared

Focuses on the act of getting something ready.

I fabricated

Can imply the creation of something untrue or deceptive, or simply manufactured.

FAQs

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

Use "I was making" to describe an action in progress at a specific point in the past. For instance, "I was making progress on the project before the deadline was extended."

What's an alternative to "I was making" that emphasizes creation?

If you want to emphasize the act of creating something, consider using phrases like "I created", or "I constructed" instead of "I was making".

How does "I was making" differ from "I made"?

"I was making" implies an ongoing action in the past, while "I made" indicates a completed action. For example, "I was making a cake" suggests the process was underway, while "I made a cake" indicates it's finished.

When should I avoid using "I was making"?

Avoid using "I was making" when referring to a habitual action in the past. In such cases, it's better to use "I used to make" or "I would make" instead. For example, say "I used to make bread every Sunday" rather than "I was making bread every Sunday".