I was suppressing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was suppressing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the act of holding back emotions, thoughts, or actions in a particular context. Example: "During the meeting, I was suppressing my laughter at the unexpected joke."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I was suppressing giggles.

Independent

One would think I was suppressing some deep dark family secret the way I was carrying on.

The Guardian - Music

Through the shifting I've experienced so far, the one thing I've learned that is absolutely priceless is this: When I finally gave light to the things I was suppressing, the passions I thought I didn't have time for, the hobbies and loves and interests I was closeting away, well, then and only then did the whole of who I am really begin to blossom.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Thus, both a better quality of the merged SPN and a low false negative correlation can be achieved if high-energy regions in Ω i are suppressed.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Ipsilateral mechanical hyperalgesia (g), contralateral mechanical hyperalgesia (h) and ipsilateral thermal hyperalgesia (i) were suppressed by 10 μl saline or BNP(2 μg in saline) pretreatment for 0.5, 2, 3, 4 h.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

In Equation (2), the time point index t i is suppressed in order to keep a simple notation.

BMC Systems Biology

In the prostate cancer lines where MT-I was suppressed, glutathione-S-transferase-pi (GST-pi) was expressed.

Environmental Health Perspectives

"I'm suppressing panic," Allen confessed.

The New York Times - Magazine

He told me: "I am not resisting the revolutionaries; I am suppressing the mutiny".

The New York Times

"I realize that I've been suppressing real anger at Alex for risking its health just to ease her loneliness," he says.

The New York Times

I don't know whether I had been suppressing my feelings for so long, ensuring I was the very strongest that I could be for my mum and my sister, that I had forgotten how to feel.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was suppressing" to clearly convey the act of consciously holding back feelings, reactions, or information in a particular situation. This phrase is effective for describing internal emotional states or deliberate actions to control outward expressions.

Common error

Avoid using "I was suppressing" when the intended meaning is that something was repressed unconsciously. "Suppressing" implies a conscious effort, while "repressing" suggests an unconscious process. For conscious effort, stick with "I was suppressing"; otherwise, consider "I was repressing."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was suppressing" functions as a declarative statement expressing a past action of consciously holding back or restraining something. Ludwig indicates that this usage is correct and appears in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was suppressing" is a grammatically sound and common expression used to describe the conscious act of holding something back, as validated by Ludwig. It appears most frequently in news and media sources, with a neutral register, making it suitable for various contexts. When writing, ensure you intend to convey a deliberate action, as opposed to an unconscious repression. For alternatives, consider phrases like "I was holding back" or "I was stifling". Overall, Ludwig confirms that the phrase is used properly in the provided examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was holding back

Focuses on the act of preventing something from being expressed or released.

I was keeping down

Emphasizes the effort to control or subdue something.

I was stifling

Highlights the act of muffling or preventing expression.

I was restraining

Implies a deliberate act of controlling or limiting something.

I was curbing

Suggests a moderating or restraining influence.

I was checking

Focuses on monitoring and controlling something to prevent its expression.

I was inhibiting

Implies hindering or preventing something from happening.

I was bottling up

Emphasizes the act of containing emotions or feelings inside.

I was concealing

Highlights the act of hiding or keeping something secret.

I was masking

Suggests covering up or disguising something.

FAQs

What does "I was suppressing" mean?

The phrase "I was suppressing" means that you were consciously holding back or restraining something, whether it be a feeling, an idea, or an action.

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

You can use alternatives like "I was holding back", "I was stifling", or "I was restraining" depending on the context.

Is it better to suppress or express my feelings?

The choice between suppressing and expressing feelings depends on the situation. Sometimes, suppressing feelings might be necessary in professional or formal settings, while expressing them might be more appropriate in personal relationships or therapeutic contexts. However, chronically suppressing feelings can be detrimental to mental health.

How do I know if I'm suppressing my emotions too much?

Signs that you might be suppressing your emotions too much include frequent feelings of anxiety, unexplained irritability, difficulty in relationships, or physical symptoms like headaches or stomach issues. If you experience these signs, consider seeking support from a therapist or counselor.