it was being

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was being" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something was happening at a certain point in time in the past. For example: "I heard a loud noise and when I opened the door, I saw that the window was being broken."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was being repossessed.

The New York Times

It was being there".

The Guardian - Music

"It was being".

The New York Times

It was being defined by our competitors".

The New Yorker

Soon it was being read throughout Europe.

The New Yorker

It was being used as a kindergarten.

The New York Times

But now it was being tested.

The New York Times - Sports

For me it was being touched lovingly.

The New York Times

Thus it was being lost to all.

The New York Times

It was being insensitive, and it was being homophobic.

The Guardian - Film

"We didn't know it was being neglected.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was being" to clearly indicate an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. This is particularly useful in narrative writing or when describing a sequence of events.

Common error

Avoid using "it was being" with stative verbs (e.g., know, believe, understand), as these verbs typically do not describe actions in progress. For example, instead of "it was being known", use "it was known".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was being" serves as a grammatical structure indicating a passive progressive action in the past. As Ludwig AI states, it expresses that something was happening at a certain point in time in the past. This contrasts with simpler past forms and emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was being" functions as a passive progressive construction, depicting an ongoing action in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability. It commonly appears in news and media, academic writing, and scientific reports, suggesting a neutral formality level. When employing this phrase, remember it's designed to show ongoing actions in the past, and using it with stative verbs would be an error. Consider related alternatives like "it had been undergoing" or "it was in the process of" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was getting

Simple alternative to indicate a process of becoming.

it had been undergoing

Replaces "being" with "undergoing", emphasizing a process or experience.

it had been in the process of

Rephrases "being" to highlight that something was actively in the course of happening.

it was in the midst of

Indicates that something was happening during the middle of a particular period or event.

it found itself

Uses a reflexive structure to show how something "found itself" in a situation.

it happened to be

Shifts the focus to coincidence, specifying that the action was happening at that time.

it came to be

Suggests an action happening over time, resulting in the current state.

it materialized as

Suggests the process of something becoming visible or real.

it had evolved into

Implies the process involved gradual change or development.

it transformed into

Focuses on the action of changing form or appearance.

FAQs

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

Use "it was being" to describe an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. For example: "The house "it was being built" when the storm hit."

What are some alternatives to "it was being"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "it had been", "it was in the process of", or "it came to be".

Which is correct, "it was being" or "it has been being"?

"It was being" describes an action in progress at a specific time in the past, while "it has been being" implies an action that started in the past and continues to the present. Choose the form that best fits the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "it was being" and "it is being"?

"It was being" refers to an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past, whereas "it is being" indicates an action currently in progress. The tense is the key difference.