i was showing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was showing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that was taking place in the past, often in the context of demonstrating or presenting something to someone. Example: "Yesterday, I was showing my friend how to use the new software."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was showing up to work thin!

The New York Times

I was showing him my Duchamp books".

The Guardian - Film

I was showing that I had skills".

The New York Times

It's not like I was showing up to work drunk.

The New York Times

"I was showing him the door," she said.

The New Yorker

I was showing two films back to back.

The Guardian - Arts

"I was showing the students some images of killer clowns.

The Guardian

I was showing my favorite photograph of the baby to an acquaintance.

The New York Times

A veteran industry executive informed me that I was showing my age.

The Economist

I was showing him who I was, and what mattered to me.

The New York Times

"This wasn't just a funny PDF that I was showing around.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was showing" to describe an ongoing action in the past where you were actively demonstrating or presenting something. For example: "I was showing the new employee the ropes when the manager arrived."

Common error

Avoid using "I was showing" when a simple past tense ("I showed") would suffice to describe a completed action. For example, instead of "I was showing him the door", use "I showed him the door" to indicate a finished act of guiding someone out.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was showing" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It describes an action that was ongoing at a specific time in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was showing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase in the past continuous tense. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively describes an ongoing action of demonstrating or presenting something in the past. It commonly appears in news articles, and is suitable for various professional settings. While alternatives like "I demonstrated" or "I presented" might be more appropriate for formal contexts, "I was showing" offers a neutral and widely understood way to convey the act of showing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was demonstrating

Emphasizes the act of explaining or proving something through action.

I demonstrated

Replaces the continuous tense with a simple past tense, implying a completed action of showing.

I presented

Focuses on a formal act of displaying or offering something.

I displayed

Highlights the act of arranging something for viewing.

I exhibited

Implies a public display, often in an artistic or professional context.

I pointed out

Highlights the act of directing attention to something specific.

I revealed

Suggests uncovering or making something known that was previously hidden.

I was presenting evidence of

More formal and emphasizes the provision of proof.

I unveiled

Implies a formal or ceremonious revelation.

I clarified

Focuses on making something easier to understand, rather than just showing it.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "I was showing"?

You can use alternatives like "I demonstrated", "I presented", or "I exhibited" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "I was showing" versus "I showed"?

"I was showing" implies an ongoing action in the past, while "I showed" indicates a completed action. For example, use "I was showing" when describing a process, and "I showed" when describing a finished demonstration.

How does the formality of "I was showing" compare to alternatives?

"I was showing" is generally neutral in formality. More formal alternatives include "I presented", while more informal options might involve simpler verbs like "I pointed out".

Is "I was showing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I was showing" is grammatically correct. It is a past continuous tense, used to describe an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past.