construction was underway

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "construction was underway" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that building or development activities are currently in progress. Example: "As we drove past the site, we noticed that construction was underway for the new community center."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Construction was underway by the end of the year, with the first contracts constructing the trench section near Highway 27.

Wikipedia

During a recent visit, the park's signature roller coaster was closed, construction was underway outside a key attraction and, most important, the crowds were less than overwhelming.

The New York Times

"Nobody really cares about the folks out here". Directly behind her, construction was underway on the corner of L and 2nd streets NE, where an "upscale apartment community. . . will boast high-quality finishes and resort-style amenities, including a fitness center, a courtyard, a rooftop pool, and more," according to its website.

The Washington Post

Construction was underway on turnpike bridges by March 1990.

Wikipedia

Construction was underway, and a bridge had been completed when the extension was abandoned in 1871.

Wikipedia

Construction was underway, but Schmittou knew the ballpark would not be ready by that date.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Construction is underway.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Construction is underway on Eko Atlantic, a luxury apartment and shopping development.

The New York Times

But no construction is underway yet, and work is unlikely to be done before 2013 or 2014.

The Washington Post

Construction is underway on the first building, a 53-story rental tower at Pavonia and Summit Avenues.

The New York Times

Construction is underway at the Air and Space Museum, which this month begins a long-planned seven-year renovation.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "construction was underway" to clearly and concisely indicate that building or development activities were in progress at a specific point in time. Ensure the context provides clarity regarding the location and scope of the construction.

Common error

Avoid using "construction is underway" when referring to a past event; "construction was underway" correctly places the activity in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "construction was underway" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that building or development activities were in progress at a specific point in time. Ludwig AI confirms this, with examples showing use across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "construction was underway" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe ongoing building or development activities in the past. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It appears frequently in news articles, academic papers, and general informational sources. When using this phrase, ensure that the tense is appropriate for the context and consider alternative phrasings such as "building was in progress" for variety. The phrase maintains a neutral register and effectively conveys information about past construction events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

building construction was in progress

Replaces "underway" with "in progress" for a more formal tone.

construction activities were ongoing

Uses "activities were ongoing" to emphasize the active nature of construction.

development was in full swing

Emphasizes the intensity and momentum of the development phase.

building work was happening

A simpler, more direct way to state that construction was taking place.

the project was being built

Focuses on the project itself being actively constructed.

site preparation was in progress

Specifies that the initial stage of construction is currently active.

the foundation was being laid

Indicates the specific construction stage of laying the foundation.

the framework was being erected

Highlights the structural phase of construction.

groundbreaking had commenced

Focuses on the initiation of the construction with a formal tone.

site was under active development

Highlights development instead of construction, meaning same idea.

FAQs

What does "construction was underway" mean?

The phrase "construction was underway" means that building or development activities were in progress at a particular time in the past.

Is "construction was underway" grammatically correct?

Yes, "construction was underway" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe past construction activities. Ludwig AI confirms this.

What are some alternatives to saying "construction was underway"?

You can use alternatives such as "building construction was in progress", "construction activities were ongoing", or "development was in full swing". Consider which best fits the specific context.

How do I choose between "construction was underway" and "construction is underway"?

Use "construction was underway" when referring to a past event. Use "construction is underway" when referring to an activity currently in progress.