I was reading something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was reading something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an activity of reading that occurred in the past, often when providing context or background information. Example: "While waiting for the bus, I was reading something that caught my interest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

ALB: I was reading something about that.

The Guardian

I knew I was reading something extraordinary.

The Guardian - Books

I felt like I was reading something that was forbidden.

The New York Times

But while I was reading, something else was going on.

The Guardian - Opinion

I was reading something by Willa Cather during the rehearsals for "It's a Gift".

The New York Times

"It didn't matter what I was reading, as long as I was reading something".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

It goes on, of course, but now I'm reading something else.

The New Yorker

"I'm reading something called Made In Britain, which is nonfiction.

The Guardian

That lamp, which is after all a kind of projector, could presumably push out the occasional logo if it senses I'm reading something.

The New York Times

When I'm reading something, it may lead me on to search for and read something else before I can finish the first book.

The New York Times

If I am reading something interesting, or working, I sometimes think to myself, 'Oh, it looks rather light outside', and I realise it is morning".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine this phrase with a reason or result clause to explain the impact of the reading experience (e.g., "I was reading something fascinating, which gave me a new idea.").

Common error

Avoid using "I was reading something" as a vague placeholder. Always aim to provide at least a general idea of the topic or source to maintain clarity and engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was reading something" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a past continuous action. It describes an ongoing activity of reading at a specific time in the past, as evidenced by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Books

25%

Tech

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was reading something" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase to introduce information acquired through reading, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's most prevalent in news and media contexts, providing a means to share information without needing to specify the exact source. However, remember to avoid overusing the phrase without context, and opt for more specific alternatives in formal or academic settings. While "I was reading something" is acceptable, being more precise elevates the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I had been reading something

Implies a reading activity that occurred over a period of time before another event.

I happened to be reading

Emphasizes the accidental or coincidental nature of the reading activity.

I was in the middle of reading

Highlights that the reading activity was interrupted or ongoing.

I was occupied with reading

Focuses on the engagement and attention given to the reading material.

I perused something earlier

Uses a more formal verb, "perused", suggesting a casual or leisurely reading.

I was glancing through something

Suggests a quick and superficial reading of the material.

I was studying some material

Implies a more focused and intentional reading for learning purposes.

I was reviewing some text

Indicates a re-reading of material for the purpose of revising or understanding it better.

I skimmed through some notes

Implies a very rapid and cursory reading to get the main points.

I was leafing through a book

Suggests a casual and unfocused reading, flipping through pages.

FAQs

How can I use "I was reading something" in a sentence?

You can use "I was reading something" to introduce information you encountered while reading, like, "I was reading something about the impact of social media on teenagers."

What's a more specific way to say "I was reading something"?

To be more specific, you could say "I was reading an article", "I was reading a book", or "I was reading a report" depending on what you were reading.

What can I say instead of "I was reading something" to sound more formal?

In a formal context, consider using "I was reviewing some literature", "I was examining a document", or "I was perusing a text".

Is "I was reading something" appropriate for academic writing?

While acceptable, it's generally better to be more specific in academic writing. For example, instead of "I was reading something", you might say "As noted in Smith's study..." or "According to Jones's research...".