I was was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was was" is not correct in written English.
It appears to be a typographical error or a repetition that does not convey a clear meaning. Example: "I was was going to the store, but I changed my mind."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

"If All I Was Was Black" is not bereft of uplifting tracks.

The New Yorker

I was was not allowed to open an HSBC bank account.

The Guardian - Opinion

Staples's forthcoming album, "If All I Was Was Black," recalls the family's civil-rights-era records.

The New Yorker

"The role model that I was was perhaps a very old-fashioned one: the master of the estate.

The New York Times

I was was the first person to be born with albinism in our family, and in the whole community.

The Guardian

"Maybe all I was was a sugar daddy, because she was screwing other people on the side," he said bitterly, pounding his pen into the tabletop.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

I was being naïve.

Independent

I was being steered.

The New Yorker

I was being cautious.

The New Yorker

I was being bounced.

The New York Times

I was being discussed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you intend to use a past perfect construction, ensure the auxiliary verb "had" is present. "I had been" is grammatically correct.

Common error

Do not simply repeat words without a clear purpose. Repeating "was" often indicates a mistake. Review your sentences to ensure each word is contributing meaningfully.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was was" is typically the result of a typographical error, representing an unintended repetition of the verb "was". As Ludwig AI notes, it is not correct in written English. The correct form is simply "I was", followed by a verb or adjective to complete the sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was was" is generally considered an error in English writing, usually stemming from a typo or unintentional repetition. While it appears in numerous sources according to Ludwig, this is due to mistakes rather than correct usage. As Ludwig AI indicates, the correct form is typically "I was", or, depending on the intended meaning, alternatives like "I had been". Therefore, careful proofreading is essential to avoid such errors and ensure clarity in writing. This mistake occurs prevalently in "News & Media" contexts given the fast-paced environment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was

This is the corrected form of the original phrase, removing the unnecessary repetition.

I had been

This alternative suggests a past perfect continuous tense, implying a longer duration in the past.

I have been

This alternative is in present perfect continuous tense indicating an action that started in the past and is still continuing.

I am

This alternative represents a shift to the present tense.

I used to be

This alternative indicates a state or condition that was true in the past but is no longer true.

I once was

This alternative emphasizes a past identity or role.

It was I who

This alternative construction emphasizes that it was 'I' who performed an action.

What I was

This alternative sets up a clause describing a previous state or condition.

The thing I was

This option is usually used when you want to emphasize on the subject or matter you were.

I happened to be

This implies being somewhere or something by chance or coincidence.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "I was" in a sentence?

Use "I was" followed by a verb in the present participle form (e.g., "I was running") to describe an ongoing action in the past, or followed by an adjective (e.g., "I was happy") to describe a state of being. For example: "I was going to the shop".

Is "I was was" ever correct?

No, "I was was" is generally considered incorrect in standard English. It's usually a typo or a mistake that needs correction to just "I was" or, depending on the intended meaning, "I had been".

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

The correct form is simply "I was". If you intended to convey a past action that occurred over a period of time you should use the past perfect form "I had been".

Which is correct, "I was" or "I was was"?

"I was" is the correct form. "I was was" is a mistake and should be avoided. For example, instead of saying "I was was planning to go", say "I was planning to go".