I was working out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was working out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an activity of exercising or engaging in physical fitness in the past. Example: "Yesterday, I was working out at the gym when I bumped into an old friend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

I was working out, not overweight.

The New York Times - Health

I was working out and jogging in the mornings.

The New York Times

It was just something I was working out without being overtly political about it".

The Guardian - Arts

"I said this when I was working out with him five months ago: he looks great," Stokley said.

The New York Times - Sports

Also, I was able to add in a bit more calories because I was working out and doing the show.

The New York Times

" 'Supergirl' is on TV — I saw that when I was working out this morning," he [Jeb Bush] said.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Yes, I am working out more.

The New York Times

I am working out three or four days a week.

The New York Times

And now I'm working out with weights".

The Guardian - Books

"So actually, even when I am partying, I am working out".

The New Yorker

While I'm working out, I listen to jazz or oldies on the iPod.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When narrating a past event, use "I was working out" to set the scene and indicate the activity you were engaged in when something else happened.

Common error

Avoid using "I was working out" to describe a single, completed workout session. Instead, use "I worked out" to indicate the workout is finished and not ongoing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was working out" functions as a past continuous verb phrase, describing an ongoing action in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used to express that the subject was engaged in physical exercise at a certain time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was working out" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that indicates an ongoing physical exercise activity in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, remember to use this phrase to describe activities in progress and choose similar expressions like "I exercised" or "I was exercising" for alternatives. Be mindful of the tense to avoid errors and ensure your writing is clear and accurate. The phrase is particularly frequent across different sources like The New York Times, The Guardian and The New Yorker.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I exercised

Replaces the phrasal verb with a simple past tense verb for directness.

I was exercising

Uses the continuous form of the verb 'exercise' for emphasis on ongoing activity.

I trained

Suggests a more structured or goal-oriented approach to exercise.

I was training

Uses the continuous form of 'train' to highlight an ongoing fitness routine.

I did a workout

Emphasizes completion of an exercise session.

I was doing a workout

Highlights the duration of an exercise session.

I hit the gym

An idiomatic expression implying a visit to the gym for exercise.

I was at the gym

Indicates presence at the gym, often for exercise.

I engaged in physical activity

A formal way to describe exercising or working out.

I exerted myself physically

Focuses on the effort expended during exercise.

FAQs

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

You can use "I was working out" to describe an activity you were doing over a period of time in the past. For example, "I was working out when the phone rang."

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "I exercised", "I was exercising", or "I trained".

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

Yes, "I worked out" is correct. The difference is that "I worked out" refers to a completed action, while "I was working out" implies an ongoing action in the past.

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

"I was working out" describes an action that was in progress in the past, while "I am working out" describes an action that is currently in progress.