I was reneging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was reneging" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where someone is going back on a promise or commitment. Example: "I regret to inform you that I was reneging on my earlier agreement to help with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But most of all, it was easy saying goodbye to feeling that I was reneging on the implicit promise you make every day you don't kill yourself, namely, "I am going to pursue every single aspect of this existence as fully as I possibly can".

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

And now that I'm reneging on just about every key thing I've promised you, and after lying to you thousands and thousands of times, you still support me.

Huffington Post

The Supreme Court demanded Thursday that Italy explain why it was reneging on its promise, barred Ambassador Mancini from leaving India without its permission and insisted that he file his response by Monday.

The New York Times

The firm called Stelian at the company's base in Evanston, Illinois, and said it was reneging.

Forbes

Now it faces claims it is reneging on promises made once again.

The Guardian

But the UK government has denied that it is reneging on its commitment.

BBC

In short order, however, Iraq was reneging on its promises and throwing up hurdles to inspections.

The New Yorker

In their minds, he was reneging on his duty to provide for his family.

The Economist

In this economic time, how could you possibly take a pension away?" Someone else in the audience said Rhode Island was reneging on a moral obligation.

The New York Times

Journalists travelling with the group said the President  was reneging on promises before the summit to grant free access to foreign media.

Independent

Pro-British Unionists' complaints that the I.R.A. was reneging on its promise to dispose of its arsenal have been a key stumbling block in Northern Ireland's peace effort.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was reneging" when you want to emphasize a formal or official backing out of a commitment, agreement, or promise. It's suitable when you want to convey a sense of responsibility for not fulfilling an obligation.

Common error

Avoid using "I was reneging" in casual conversations. Opt for more informal alternatives like "I was backing out" if you're speaking about everyday commitments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was reneging" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of retracting or going back on a promise, agreement, or commitment made in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable English expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was reneging" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express the action of retracting or going back on a previous promise or commitment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, while usable, it is not a very common expression. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media contexts and carries a neutral to slightly formal tone. Consider alternative phrases like "I was backing out" or "I was going back on my word" for more informal situations. The phrase carries the communicative purpose of acknowledging a failure to fulfill a past agreement. In short, use "I was reneging" when you want to formally acknowledge reversing a decision, while being mindful of its relatively low frequency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was backing out

This alternative is more informal and suggests withdrawing from a commitment or agreement.

I was going back on my word

This alternative emphasizes the breaking of a personal promise or assurance.

I was failing to deliver

This alternative highlights the failure to fulfill an expected outcome or obligation.

I was not honoring my commitment

This alternative focuses on the lack of adherence to a previously made commitment.

I was rescinding my offer

This alternative suggests a formal withdrawal of a proposal or offer.

I was breaking my promise

This alternative directly states the act of violating a promise.

I was defaulting on the agreement

This alternative implies a failure to meet the terms of a formal agreement or contract.

I was retracting my statement

This alternative focuses on withdrawing a previously made statement or declaration.

I was disavowing my responsibility

This alternative suggests a denial or rejection of an obligation or duty.

I was reversing my decision

This alternative indicates a change of mind leading to a cancellation of a previous decision.

FAQs

What does "I was reneging" mean?

The phrase "I was reneging" means that you were going back on a promise or commitment that you had previously made. It implies a reversal of a decision or agreement.

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

You can use alternatives like "I was backing out", "I was going back on my word", or "I was failing to deliver" depending on the context.

Is "I was reneging" formal or informal?

"I was reneging" is considered a more formal way to express that you were going back on a promise or commitment. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives might be more appropriate.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "I was reneging"?

It's appropriate to use "I was reneging" in situations where you want to convey a sense of responsibility for not fulfilling a prior agreement or commitment, particularly in more formal or official contexts.