it was being built

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was being built" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an ongoing construction process in the past, indicating that something was in the process of being constructed at a specific time. Example: "The new library was being built when the funding was unexpectedly cut."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Jon Wilner, a Pines resident whose real estate office was in the Pavilion building, said that besides patronizing its parties, he had twice brokered its sale: "I watched this building when it was being built, and last night I watched it burn down," he said.

The New York Times

He remembered the building as it was being built.

The New York Times

Completed in 1991, High Camp was dubbed "Alex's Folly" while it was being built.

Harvard University

Last year, while it was being built in Zurich, the Unexcelled Chemical Corp.

The New Yorker

True, the biggest obelisk of them all did collapse long ago when it was being built.

The New York Times

Sarah Jay never lived in the house; she died in Rye, while it was being built.

The New York Times

"It was being built based on anticipated growth," said Ms. Leete with a sigh.

The New York Times

Entrants weren't told exactly where on the East End it was being built.

The New York Times

He remembers when it was being built and things were infinitely more hopeful.

The Guardian

"I took every opportunity to go to our stadium and check it out as it was being built," Davis said.

The New York Times - Sports

When I traveled through Gujarat in 2009, I discovered that it was disintegrating faster than it was being built.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was being built" to emphasize the ongoing nature of the construction process at a specific time in the past. This is useful when describing a project that was underway but not yet completed.

Common error

Avoid using "it was being built" when you intend to describe a completed structure. Use past simple ("it was built") or past perfect ("it had been built") instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was being built" functions as a passive construction in the past continuous tense. This indicates that something was in the process of construction at a particular time in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard and grammatically correct construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was being built" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that indicates an ongoing construction process in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard phrase suitable for various contexts, including news, academic writing, and general communication. While the phrase itself doesn't dictate a specific formality level, you should pay attention to the surrounding language to ensure consistency. Remember to use this phrase when describing a construction process underway, not a completed structure. Consider alternatives like "it was under construction" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was under construction

Emphasizes the state of construction rather than the act of building.

its construction was underway

Highlights that the construction had started and was progressing.

it was being erected

Alternative passive voice emphasizing putting up the structure.

it was in the process of construction

More formal and explicitly states that construction was ongoing.

the building process was ongoing

Focuses on the continuous nature of the building process.

they were constructing it

Shifts to an active voice, highlighting the builders.

they were erecting it

Alternative active voice emphasizing the action of putting up the structure.

it was under development

Broader term applicable beyond physical structures, encompassing planning and design phases.

it was in the course of erection

More formal and somewhat archaic, specifically referring to the act of erecting a structure.

it was taking shape

More figurative, suggesting the gradual manifestation of something.

FAQs

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

This phrase describes an ongoing construction process in the past. For example, "The new library "it was being built" when the funding was unexpectedly cut."

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

"It was being built" describes a process in progress, while "it was built" describes a completed action. The former emphasizes that construction was underway at a specific time.

Which is correct, "it was being built" or "it is being built"?

Both are correct, but they refer to different time frames. "It was being built" refers to the past, while "it is being built" refers to the present.

What can I say instead of "it was being built"?

You can use alternatives like "it was under construction" or "its construction was underway" depending on the context.