it was achieving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was achieving" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a past situation where something was in the process of reaching a goal or accomplishing something. Example: "During the first quarter, the project was achieving significant milestones that impressed the stakeholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

For its part, Millenco said that although it would have preferred an open meeting, it was achieving its main goal through the settlement by placing an independent director on the Sunrise board.

The New York Times

The development of CAULDRON has been guided by feedback from players, used to see whether it was achieving its aims and for suggestions on how to improve the game.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

When The Cuckoo's Calling eventually found a publisher in 2013, it was achieving respectable sales before the secret of its authorship broke, and it then shot to the top of the bestseller lists.

The Guardian - Books

The celebration which features Laura Marling, Public Image Limited, De La Soul and Blur's Graham Coxon, finds the digital radio station in relatively rude health, its listener figures put at nearly 1.5m, double what it was achieving in February 2010, when the BBC proposed to close the station, a decision that was revoked by the trust five months later.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Leanne Evans, treasurer of the Palm Beach County school district, said that late in October she received a memo from the board's outside investment adviser, pointing out that the investment pool always seemed to beat its benchmark and suggesting that she look into how it was achieving above-par results month after month.

The New York Times

JenJen2, however, couldn't see what all the fuss was about – or, indeed, what it was achieving.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

It was achieved rather mechanically.

The New Yorker

If it was achieved once, it can be achieved again.

The Guardian - Opinion

The manner in which it was achieved suggests it does.

The Guardian - Sport

Upward mobility, however it was achieved, was no bad thing.

Independent

The scale of the transformation is staggering, how it was achieved is less clear-cut.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing ongoing projects or long-term goals, use "it was achieving" to highlight consistent progress. This emphasizes that positive steps were continuously being made.

Common error

Avoid using "it was achieving" when you mean "it was achieved". The former denotes a process in progress, while the latter indicates a completed action. For example, "The goal was achieved" (completed), not "The goal was achieving".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was achieving" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It describes an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past, indicating a state of progression towards a goal. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correctly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was achieving" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe ongoing progress towards a goal in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a common expression across diverse contexts, from news reporting to scientific literature. While alternatives like "it was accomplishing" or "it was attaining" can provide nuanced variations, the key is to ensure the tense and aspect accurately reflect the intended meaning. Remember, "it was achieving" signifies a process, not a completed action. Be aware of the subtle difference between "it was achieving" (ongoing progress) and "it was achieved" (completed action) to maintain clarity and accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was accomplishing

Replaces "achieving" with a direct synonym, focusing on the act of completing something successfully.

it was attaining

Substitutes "achieving" with another synonym, highlighting the process of reaching a certain level or goal.

it was realizing

Emphasizes the process of making something a reality or becoming aware of something, instead of simply reaching a goal.

it was fulfilling

Suggests the completion of a requirement or expectation, adding a sense of satisfaction to the accomplishment.

it was executing

Highlights the performance or implementation aspect of achieving a goal.

it was performing

Focuses on the act of doing something effectively, aligning with expected standards or benchmarks.

it was making progress

Shifts the focus to the ongoing advancement toward a goal, rather than the completed achievement.

it was succeeding

Indicates a positive outcome or a favorable result, rather than simply the act of achieving.

it was thriving

Conveys a sense of prosperity and growth beyond just achieving a specific objective.

it was yielding results

Highlights the production of specific outcomes, shifting the emphasis from the process to the tangible consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "it was achieving" in a sentence?

Use "it was achieving" to describe something that was in the process of successfully reaching a goal or standard. For example, "The project was achieving its objectives ahead of schedule."

What's the difference between "it was achieving" and "it was achieved"?

"It was achieving" describes a continuous process or ongoing action, while "it was achieved" indicates the completion of an action or goal. The first implies progress, the second implies completion.

What are some alternatives to using "it was achieving"?

You can use alternatives such as "it was accomplishing", "it was attaining", or "it was realizing" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "it was achieving" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was achieving" is grammatically correct. It's the past continuous tense of the verb "achieve", used to describe an ongoing action in the past.