i was checking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was checking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that was ongoing in the past, typically when referring to verifying or examining something. Example: "I was checking my emails when I noticed an important message from my boss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was checking out some Selena Gomez".

The New York Times - Arts

A moment later I was checking the weather report and the status of my I.R.A.

The New York Times - Magazine

I was, like, 'Did you read the news?' I was checking for reactions.

The New Yorker

Our catalog was getting updated and I was checking it on my laptop.

The New York Times

As I was checking out, a well-dressed family from London was checking in.

The New York Times - Travel

"But mostly, I was checking golf scores instead of working," he said Thursday.

The New York Times - Sports

I was checking the locks in my apartment by page thirty.

The New Yorker

While I was checking him out, he was certainly checking me out.

The Guardian - Film

"When I was heavy on the Internet, I was checking everything," he said.

The New Yorker

I told him I was checking reviews of the toys, and he informed me that they were new.

The New York Times - Tech

"I was checking sizes, condition, looking for a signature," Mr. Studer recalls, "and making sure the art was properly measured".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "i was checking" to describe an action that was ongoing in the past, particularly when referring to verifying information, inspecting something, or monitoring a situation. For example: "I was checking the weather report before leaving the house."

Common error

Avoid using "i was checking" when referring to a future action. Instead of saying "I was checking tomorrow's schedule", use "I will be checking tomorrow's schedule" or "I am going to check tomorrow's schedule".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i was checking" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It describes an action of verifying, inspecting, or monitoring that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig provides many examples of its correct usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "i was checking" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe an ongoing action of verification or inspection in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, primarily in news and media. When writing, remember that this phrase indicates an action in progress, and consider using alternatives like "i inspected" or "i verified" for different nuances. Ensure correct tense usage to avoid common mistakes. The high frequency and consistent usage make "i was checking" a reliable choice for expressing past continuous verification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i was verifying

Similar to verifying but emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action.

i was examining

Implies a detailed inspection or investigation.

i inspected

Replaces 'checking' with a more formal term suggesting a thorough examination.

i monitored

Formal way of saying 'i kept an eye on'.

i was looking into

Implies investigating or researching something.

i verified

Focuses on confirming the accuracy or truth of something.

i kept an eye on

Suggests continuous monitoring of something.

i kept track of

Focuses on maintaining records or awareness of something.

i looked over

Informal way of saying 'i checked', suggesting a quick review.

i surveyed

Suggests a comprehensive overview or assessment.

FAQs

How can I use "i was checking" in a sentence?

"I was checking" indicates an action of verifying or inspecting that was in progress in the past. For example, "I was checking my email when I received your message" or "I was checking the oven to see if the cake was done."

What are some alternatives to "i was checking"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "i inspected", "i verified", "i was examining", or "i looked over".

Is it correct to say "i was checking" or should I use "i checked"?

"I was checking" implies an ongoing action in the past, while "I checked" indicates a completed action. For example, "I was checking the news" suggests you were in the process of checking, whereas "I checked the news" means you completed the task of checking the news.

What's the difference between "i was checking" and "i have been checking"?

"I was checking" describes an action in progress at a specific time in the past, whereas "I have been checking" indicates an action that started in the past and continues to the present or has relevance to the present. For example, "I was checking the website yesterday" vs. "I have been checking the website all week for updates".