he was representing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was representing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone acting on behalf of another person or group, typically in a formal context such as legal, business, or diplomatic situations. Example: "During the negotiations, he was representing the interests of his company to ensure a favorable outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

The mother said she said to the representative that he was representing a company of cheaters.

The New Yorker

He was representing Tanya and Vaziri.

The Guardian

But then, he was representing his native Kenya.

The New York Times

He did not specify how many victims he was representing.

The Guardian - Tech

Waiting outside the courtroom was a lawyer who said he was representing our building's new management.

The New York Times

But Mr. Alcalde said he would always tell a lawmaker whom he was representing.

The New York Times

He was representing the aspiration; he was the champion of their aspiration".

The New York Times - Sports

In making these remarks, Toroglu claimed that he was representing the voice of ordinary Turks.

The Guardian

He was talking to a colleague about a client he was representing in a divorce.

The New York Times

"Thousands of people flocked to him, because they understood what he was representing.

The New York Times - Sports

He knew that he was representing his race at all times.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "he was representing", ensure the context clearly identifies who or what is being represented to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "he was representing" when the individual's actions or beliefs merely align with a group but they are not officially acting on its behalf. Use alternative phrases like "he supported" or "he believed in" to prevent misrepresentation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was representing" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past continuous action. It describes someone in the act of acting as an agent or advocate for another entity. As Ludwig AI points out, this indicates representation in a formal or official capacity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was representing" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that someone was acting on behalf of another person, group, or organization. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to clarify the role or capacity in which the individual was operating at a particular time. It's most frequently encountered in news and media contexts but can also be appropriate in professional and academic settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about who or what is being represented to avoid any ambiguity. Considering alternatives such as "he acted on behalf of" or "he was advocating for" can add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he acted on behalf of

Replaces "representing" with a more direct phrase emphasizing agency.

he was tasked with representing

Highlights the responsibility or assignment to represent.

he served as a representative for

Highlights the formal role of being a representative.

he was the spokesperson for

Focuses on the act of speaking officially for a group.

he was advocating for

Emphasizes active support and promotion of a cause or entity.

he was speaking for

Highlights the act of voicing the opinions or interests of another.

he was the delegate of

Implies a formal assignment to represent someone at a meeting or conference.

he stood for

Indicates that someone symbolized or embodied certain values.

he embodied

Suggests a strong connection where the person is a symbol of the entity represented.

he fronted for

Implies acting as a public face, sometimes with a hidden agenda.

FAQs

How can I use "he was representing" in a sentence?

Use "he was representing" to indicate that someone is acting on behalf of another person, group, or organization. For example, "He was representing the company during the negotiations".

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

You can use alternatives like "he acted on behalf of", "he served as a representative for", or "he was advocating for" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "he was representing" or "he represented"?

Both "he was representing" and "he represented" can be correct, depending on the context. "He was representing" implies a continuous action in the past, while "he represented" describes a completed action or a general truth.

What's the difference between "he was representing" and "he was portraying"?

"He was representing" means acting on behalf of someone, while "he was portraying" means depicting someone in a specific way, often in a performance or artistic context. They are not interchangeable.