it was being circulated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was being circulated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something, such as information or a document, that is currently being shared or distributed among people. Example: "The new policy was being circulated among the staff for feedback before the final decision was made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"It was being circulated and widely discussed among insiders, and our team felt readers should see what insiders were reading and reacting to.

The New York Times

Rather, it was being circulated by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which hopes to beat Mr. Shays in November by tying him back home in New England to the conservative Mr. DeLay.

The New York Times

Drudge posted the photo yesterday and said it was being circulated by "Clinton staffers".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

While it is being circulated for comment within the military and has not been formally announced, General McChrystal has already put it into practical effect, he said.

The New York Times

It is being circulated as an example of the levels of sheer desperation many have reached in the war-torn capital.

Independent

In 2010, a CD entitled Adolf Hitler Lives was being circulated among rightwing extremist circles.

The Guardian

(The link is being circulated by Obama aides, so it may be from a campaign volunteer or staffer).

Huffington Post

"A rumour is being circulated this is a [socialist] Campaign group plot.

The Guardian

Socialbots are being circulated around the Web for many purposes.

The New York Times

Swarms of additional petitions are being circulated in churches and civic centers and on Web sites.

The New York Times

The charges, which Dr. Slater denies, are being circulated mostly among academics in psychology and psychiatry.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was being circulated" when you want to emphasize that something is currently in the process of being shared or distributed, often within a specific group or context. For example, "The memo was being circulated among the management team."

Common error

Avoid using the active voice when the passive voice is more appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "They were circulating it", use "it was being circulated" to emphasize the object being acted upon rather than the actor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was being circulated" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an object (e.g., information, a document) is the recipient of the action of circulating. Ludwig provides examples where the phrase is used to describe the spread of information among insiders or within specific groups.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was being circulated" is a passive voice phrase used to indicate that something is in the process of being shared or distributed. Ludwig confirms that it's grammatically correct and usable in written English, although its frequency is relatively rare. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral register. While alternatives like "it was being distributed" or "it was being shared" exist, the choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis on the ongoing process of distribution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was being distributed

Replaces "circulated" with a more general term for spreading something.

it was being disseminated

Emphasizes a wider, more formal distribution than "circulated".

it was being spread

Offers a less formal alternative, suitable for broader contexts.

it was in circulation

Focuses on the state of being available rather than the action of spreading.

it was being passed around

Suggests informal, personal sharing among a group.

it was being transmitted

Implies sending information electronically or through a specific medium.

it was being propagated

Indicates a deliberate and widespread effort to promote something.

it was being diffused

Suggests a gradual spreading or permeation of something.

it was being broadcast

Conveys the idea of a message being sent to a large audience.

it was making the rounds

Indicates that something is becoming widely known or discussed.

FAQs

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

Use "it was being circulated" to indicate that something, such as a document or information, was in the process of being shared among a group of people. For example: "The draft proposal "it was being circulated" among the board members for review".

What are some alternatives to "it was being circulated"?

Alternatives include "it was being distributed", "it was being shared", or "it was being passed around". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it more appropriate to use the active or passive voice with "it was being circulated"?

The phrase itself is in the passive voice, emphasizing the object being circulated rather than the person or group doing the circulating. Using the active voice would involve restructuring the sentence, for example, as "They were circulating it."

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

"It was circulated" implies the action is completed, while "it was being circulated" suggests an ongoing process of distribution.