I was practising

USAGE SUMMARY

"I was practising" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about something that you were doing habitually over a period of time prior to a particular event. For example: "I was practising the piano for an hour before the recital started."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

I was practising.

The Guardian - Sport

"I was practising today, it felt so easy.

Independent

"For these kind of days, I was practising every day, being dedicated, being a tennis professional.

Independent

I was practising with guys who were much older and bigger than me".

The Guardian - Sport

I got very short holidays, as I was practising or performing with the choir during them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"On Monday and Tuesday last week I was practising for 45 minutes a day and that was it.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

I'm practising.

The New Yorker

"I'm practising being sexual!" I shouted after her.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"For the next hour I am practising my stand up".

The Guardian - Sport

"I'm practising the Catalan for 'We just shat ourselves'".

The Guardian

But up to that point, I'm focused on Armando's ideas and directions – I'm practising, practising and practising.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was practising" to describe an ongoing action in the past, often in preparation for a future event or to explain a past situation. For example, "I was practising my speech all morning, so I was ready when I went on stage."

Common error

Avoid using the simple past tense ("I practised") when you want to emphasize the continuous nature of the action in the past. For example, instead of saying "I practised the piano", say "I was practising the piano" to convey that the action was ongoing over a period of time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was practising" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It describes an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this through examples showing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Lifestyle

13%

Sport

13%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was practising" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used in the past continuous tense. It describes an ongoing action in the past, often implying preparation or routine. Ludwig examples showcase its wide use in News & Media, Lifestyle, and Sport contexts. Common alternatives include "I was training" and "I rehearsed". When using this phrase, remember to emphasize the continuous nature of the action and avoid confusing it with the simple past tense. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is suitable for various communicative purposes, particularly in describing past activities or preparations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was training

Adds an emphasis on the continuous nature of preparing to be better at something.

I rehearsed

Focuses specifically on the act of rehearsing, typically for a performance.

I was drilling

Adds an emphasis on the continuous nature of performing repetitive exercises to improve technique.

I trained

Implies a more structured and disciplined approach to improving a skill.

I was honing my skills

Adds an emphasis on the continuous nature of improving and refining existing abilities.

I worked on

Suggests a broader effort to improve or develop something.

I drilled

Focuses on repetitive exercises to improve technique.

I honed my skills

Emphasizes the refinement and improvement of existing abilities.

I prepared myself

Highlights the act of making oneself ready for a specific event or challenge.

I was getting ready

Suggests a general process of preparing for something.

FAQs

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

Use "I was practising" to describe an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. For instance, "I was practising the guitar when the phone rang" indicates the guitar practice was ongoing.

What's the difference between "I practised" and "I was practising"?

"I practised" implies a completed action in the past, while "I was practising" indicates an action that was ongoing or in progress in the past. The former is simple past, the latter is past continuous.

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

You can use alternatives like "I was training", "I rehearsed", or "I was honing my skills" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I am practising" instead of "I was practising"?

While "I was practising" refers to a past action, "I am practising" refers to a present, ongoing action. The correct tense depends on the time frame you're discussing.