I was shipping

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was shipping" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of expressing support or enthusiasm for a romantic pairing of characters, often in fandoms or discussions about media. Example: "I was shipping those two characters from the show long before they finally got together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I was shipping them forth to the South!

The New Yorker

"I was shipping them out for the video but they never got to the desert in time," says Normansell. "They've got all the originals in their recording studio at the moment.

Independent

The guys in Pittsburgh needed the stuff I was shipping in, just as the middleman, from Colombia so I found a kid who was going there from Newark.

TechCrunch

While I rarely am able to get out to tape Dead shows anymore ��� what with most of the the band-members being dead themselves – this would have been a great help back when I was shipping reel-to-reels all over the country with little notes saying "Check out Ripple on this one.

TechCrunch

By the time I was 19, though, I was shipping marijuana to both coasts.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Before I was shipped out".

The Guardian - Books

But at first I was shipped off and hated it.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I was shipped from Philadelphia to make plays for this team," Samuel said.

The New York Times

Were you shipped off to camp, or did you want to go? SHOWALTER: I was shipped off until I started liking it.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Paul, you really need to go to a convent!" So I was shipped, by bus, to the Abbey of Regina Laudis, in rural Bethlehem, Connecticut.

The New Yorker

"After we had been dating for five or six months I was shipped off to Anchorage for a five-week trial," Mr. Poynor recalled.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a past activity involving the transportation of goods, ensure the context clearly indicates the items being shipped and the destination if relevant. For fandom contexts, clarify which characters you were "shipping" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "I was shipping" without proper context, especially outside of online discussions or fandom-related spaces, as it may be misinterpreted. Instead, opt for clearer alternatives like "I was sending" or "I was transporting".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was shipping" functions as a past continuous tense verb phrase. It describes an action (shipping) that was in progress at a specific time in the past. The Ludwig examples show its usage in both literal (transporting goods) and figurative (supporting relationships) contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was shipping" is a grammatically sound expression with two primary contexts. Literally, it refers to the past action of transporting goods. Figuratively, particularly within online fandom communities, it signifies past support or enthusiasm for a romantic pairing. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides diverse examples of its usage. While its frequency is uncommon, understanding its context is crucial to avoid misinterpretations. Depending on what you want to express, alternative options are available like "I used to ship" for habitual past action or "I sent merchandise" for a more specific term related to goods.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I used to ship

Focuses on a habitual past action of shipping.

I shipped in the past

Emphasizes that the shipping activity occurred at some point in the past.

I sent merchandise

Replaces "shipping" with a more specific term related to goods.

I transported goods

Uses a more formal term for "shipping" emphasizing the movement of items.

I was in charge of shipments

Shifts the focus to the responsibility for shipping activities.

I handled the shipping

Highlights the management or handling of the shipping process.

I oversaw dispatch

Uses a formal alternative for managing the shipment process

I was a shipper

States the profession in a direct way.

I was keen on the pairing

Expresses past enthusiasm for a romantic pairing (fandom context).

I supported that relationship

Indicates backing for a relationship, similar to "shipping" in fandom.

FAQs

What does "I was shipping" mean in the context of fandom?

In fandom, "I was shipping" means you supported or were enthusiastic about a romantic relationship between two characters. It's similar to saying you were rooting for them.

What are some alternatives to "I was shipping" when discussing transporting goods?

You can use phrases like "I was sending", "I was transporting", or "I was dispatching" depending on the context. For example, "I was sending the goods overseas".

Is "I was shipping" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I was shipping" is grammatically correct. It uses the past continuous tense of the verb "ship". Its correctness, however, depends on the context, for example in the fandom subculture.

How can I use "I was shipping" in a sentence about fandom?

You might say, "I was shipping those two characters from the moment they met, and I'm so glad they finally got together".