I was measuring

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was measuring" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an action that was taking place in the past, particularly in contexts involving measurement of objects, time, or quantities. Example: "I was measuring the length of the table to ensure it would fit in the designated space."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I'm writing a novel - an artistic enterprise, one hopes - but I was measuring my working day by a number.

The Guardian - Books

(b) When I was measuring a wall for a bookcase and then decided that I'd rather move.

The New Yorker

But, as is so often the case when you see a beloved artist whose work has worn deep grooves into your heart and memory, I was measuring what I knew and loved against what I was experiencing in the moment, and thinking about age and the passing of time.

The New Yorker

I was measuring the couch when the man doing the curtains walked in and I asked him what the new curtains would come to.

Forbes

But I was measuring it and it was not what it was saying it was in the script.

Huffington Post

All my measurements on the effects of pHi were made as pHi fell, so that release from the endoplasmic reticulum would be unlikely while I was measuring the injection-induced ΔpHs.

Cell Calcium

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The inhibition constant (K i) was measured on PC3 cells.

EJNMMI Radiopharmacy and Chemistry

K i was measured from Patlak plots of dynamic FDG-PET data [15, 16, 24].

EJNMMI Research

[Ca2+] i was measured as previously described [ 37] with minor modification.

BioMed Research International

[Cl−] i was measured by the spectrofluorimetric method using MQAE dye as described [ 1].

BioMed Research International

An example of a chosen crack path along the COD i was measured is presented in Fig. 6a.

Acta Materialia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was measuring" to describe a past action where a physical or abstract quantity was being determined. For clarity, specify what was being measured and the tool or method used.

Common error

Avoid using "I was measuring" without specifying what you were measuring. This can lead to confusion. Provide context, such as "I was measuring the room's dimensions" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was measuring" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past continuous action. It describes the act of taking measurements, either literally (e.g., measuring a physical object) or figuratively (e.g., measuring progress). Ludwig AI provides examples showcasing this in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was measuring" describes an action that was in progress in the past and, according to Ludwig AI, is grammatically correct. While "I was measuring" is not extremely frequent, it is used in a variety of contexts, including science and news. It’s important to provide context about what you were measuring to ensure clarity. Similar phrases include "I was assessing" and "I was evaluating". Keep in mind that using the past continuous "I was measuring" describes an ongoing action, whereas "I measured" describes a completed action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was assessing

Emphasizes a more general evaluation rather than a precise measurement.

I was evaluating

Similar to assessing, but implies a more formal or structured judgment.

I was calculating

Suggests a mathematical or numerical determination was in progress.

I was estimating

Implies an approximate calculation rather than an exact measurement.

I was gauging

Indicates an attempt to determine or judge something, often an opinion or feeling.

I was determining

Focuses on the act of figuring something out or reaching a conclusion.

I was checking

Highlights the act of verifying a measurement or dimension.

I was computing

Refers specifically to using a computer or similar tool to calculate something.

I was quantifying

Implies assigning a numerical value to something previously not quantified.

I was surveying

Suggests a broad overview or examination to gather measurements or data.

FAQs

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

Use "I was measuring" to describe an action in the past where you were determining the size, amount, or extent of something. For example, "I was measuring the fabric for the dress."

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

You can use alternatives like "I was assessing", "I was evaluating", or "I was calculating depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "I was measuring"?

It's appropriate when describing the act of finding the size, weight, amount, or degree of something, either physically or abstractly, in the past. Consider the context to choose a more specific verb if possible.

What's the difference between "I was measuring" and "I measured"?

"I was measuring" indicates a continuous or ongoing action in the past, while "I measured" implies a completed action. For example, "I was measuring the window when the phone rang" (interrupted action) versus "I measured the window" (completed action).