I was working on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was working on" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an ongoing action or project that you were engaged in at a specific time in the past. Example: "I was working on the report when the power went out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I knew what I was working on was right," Baddeley said.

The New York Times - Sports

I was working on one of the little bumps".

The New Yorker

I was working on a collection of one hundred tins.

Vice

I was working on it.

The New York Times

I was working on the album today.

Independent

"I was working on his album.

The Guardian

I was working on the tractors.

The Guardian - Music

I was working on health care".

The New Yorker

I was working on a problem set".

The New Yorker

I knew what I was working on.

The Guardian - Books

I was working on my own, really".

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add more context, specify the duration or timeframe of your work. For example, "I was working on this project throughout the summer" provides more information than simply saying "I was working on this project".

Common error

Avoid using "I was working on" without providing sufficient context regarding when the work occurred. Without this context, the statement can be vague and may not effectively convey the intended meaning. Be precise about the time frame: "I was working on the code last night" is better than "I was working on the code".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was working on" functions as a past continuous construction. It describes an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts, indicating ongoing projects or tasks.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was working on" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that an action or task was in progress at a specific time in the past. As indicated by Ludwig, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. The phrase functions as a past continuous construction and serves to provide context or explain past activities.

While straightforward, providing adequate time context is essential. Consider alternatives like "I had been developing" or "I was engaged in" to refine the specific nuance of the action.

Overall, "I was working on" is a versatile and effective phrase for describing past actions, and its widespread use, as confirmed by Ludwig, highlights its reliability in English communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I had been developing

Emphasizes the ongoing and continuous nature of the work in the past, similar to the original phrase, but uses a different verb tense.

I was engaged in

Provides a more formal tone, suitable for professional or academic contexts, emphasizing active participation.

I dedicated my time to

Highlights the commitment and time invested in the task, adding a sense of purpose or focus that might not be present in the original.

I devoted myself to

Emphasizes a strong sense of commitment and focus on the task at hand.

I spent time crafting

Focuses on the creative or skillful nature of the work, implying a degree of artistry or craftsmanship.

My focus was on

Shifts the emphasis to the subject of the work, highlighting the primary area of concentration.

I busied myself with

Implies that the task was engaging and kept one occupied, perhaps more casually than "working on".

I had underway

This alternative emphasizes the active and ongoing nature of the work.

I labored over

Suggests a more strenuous or challenging effort, highlighting the difficulty or intensity of the work.

I pursued

Indicates active engagement and striving toward a specific goal or project.

FAQs

How can I use "I was working on" in a sentence?

Use "I was working on" to describe a continuous action in the past. For example, "I was working on a new project when I received the call". The phrase indicates that the action was in progress at a specific time.

What are some alternatives to "I was working on"?

You can use alternatives like "I had been developing", "I was engaged in", or "My focus was on" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I worked on" instead of "I was working on"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "I worked on" implies a completed action or a general involvement, whereas "I was working on" indicates an ongoing action at a specific time in the past. Choose the phrase that best fits the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "I am working on" and "I was working on"?

"I am working on" indicates a present action, something you are currently doing. "I was working on" refers to a past action, something you were doing at a specific point in the past. The tense indicates the time frame of the action.