it was accelerating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was accelerating" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an object or situation that is increasing in speed or intensity in the past tense. Example: "As the car approached the hill, it was accelerating rapidly, leaving the other vehicles behind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

New Zealand now follows France, a much bigger coalition partner, which in January announced it was accelerating its troop withdrawal.

The New York Times

A moment after the first shot, one of the agents on the Queen Mary's running board, Clint Hill, had sprinted after the limousine as it was accelerating, leaped onto its trunk, and grabbed one of its handholds.

The New Yorker

To drive customer traffic, Wal-Mart said it was accelerating the introduction of its Project Impact stores -- big boxes reconfigured to be more intuitive and easier to shop, with fewer brands, better sight lines and clearer signs.

The New York Times

After the Snowden revelations, Google said it was accelerating those efforts.

The New York Times

But in 1998, teams of scientists discovered that the universe's expansion was not slowing down; in fact, it was accelerating.

Princeton University

We were shocked at the number of patents, how fast it was accelerating and the range of big companies involved".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

But by 1998, the team had reached a stunningly different conclusion: The expansion of the universe was not slowing down--it was accelerating, driven by some unknown effect that came to be called dark energy.

Science Magazine

"It was accelerated by the fact that there was an environmental imperative," he said.

The New York Times

Manchester city council has confirmed that it is accelerating its programme to support rough sleepers.

The Guardian

It is accelerating downward".

The New York Times

"If anything, it's accelerating," she says.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was accelerating" to describe processes or objects experiencing an increase in speed, rate, or intensity over a period of time in the past.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that "it was accelerating" without providing context about how quickly or significantly the acceleration occurred. Adding details like "rapidly", "gradually", or specific metrics can make your description more impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was accelerating" typically functions as part of a clause, indicating the ongoing nature of acceleration in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound way to describe an object or situation increasing in speed or intensity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

14%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was accelerating" is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to describe an increase in speed, rate, or intensity in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is frequently found in News & Media, Academia, and Science contexts. Related phrases include "it was speeding up" and "it was gaining momentum". When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure that "it" is clearly defined and that the rate of acceleration is specified for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was speeding up

Emphasizes the increase in speed, directly relating to the action of accelerating.

it was gaining momentum

Highlights the accumulation of force or speed over time.

it was picking up pace

Focuses on the rate at which something is progressing or moving.

it was gathering speed

Similar to "speeding up", but suggests a more gradual increase in velocity.

it was escalating rapidly

Indicates a quick and significant increase in intensity or magnitude.

it was advancing quickly

Focuses on the forward movement and its increasing speed.

it was on the rise

Suggests an upward trend or increase in prevalence.

it was intensifying

Emphasizes the growing strength or severity of something.

it was burgeoning

Implies rapid growth and expansion.

it was gaining traction

Highlights the increasing influence or popularity of something.

FAQs

What does "it was accelerating" mean?

The phrase "it was accelerating" describes a past action or process that was increasing in speed, rate, or intensity. For example, you might say "The car was accelerating down the road" or "The company's growth was accelerating rapidly".

What can I say instead of "it was accelerating"?

You can use alternatives like "it was speeding up", "it was gaining momentum", or "it was picking up pace" depending on the context.

How do I use "it was accelerating" in a sentence?

Make sure to provide context by clarifying what "it" refers to and providing details about the rate or magnitude of acceleration. For instance, instead of just saying "The project was accelerating", you could say "The project was accelerating rapidly towards completion".

Is it correct to say "it was accelerated" instead of "it was accelerating"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, they have different meanings. "It was accelerated" implies that something was made to increase in speed or rate by an external force or action. "It was accelerating", on the other hand, means that it was increasing in speed or rate on its own.