it was being constructed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was being constructed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an ongoing action in the past, particularly when referring to a building or structure that was in the process of being built. Example: "The new library was being constructed when the funding was unexpectedly cut."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It took eight years to plan and build the school and, while it was being constructed, Howe Dell stayed on its former site: a rectory attached to Hatfield House, a mile and a half away from the new site.

Independent

He gave me a tour of the Olympic Village while it was being constructed in 1971.

The New York Times

"They had me being arrested by trying to help some beautiful blonde through the Berlin Wall while it was being constructed.

Independent

U.S. Bronze's foundry has produced nearly all the plaques in Monument Park, and also created the statue of Steinbrenner now in the lobby of Gate 2. Kasten said he was unaware of any debate about the size of the Steinbrenner plaque as it was being constructed.

The New York Times - Sports

Some volunteers were then told that the waste facility would be in Sevier Lake, Utah, while others heard that it was being constructed in Spring Creek, Nev.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It would also be a major boost to local employment opportunities, especially while it is being constructed.

The Guardian - Business

One paradox of the new American empire is that it is being constructed by a Republican administration that hates big government.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It's being constructed by an African-American man, but I swear to God, there is every single generalisation of black people.

The Guardian - Music

Moreover, say the project's opponents, it is being constructed in violation of the land-use codes they themselves have to follow in environment-sensitive King County.

The Economist

The final touches are being put to the balsa boat in the Bolivian capital, La Paz, where it is being constructed by indigenous Aymara who live on Lake Titicaca high in the Andes and have used similar craft for centuries.

The Guardian

The central event of the novel is an extended atrocity on the Burma death railway as it is being constructed by hundreds of thousands of slaves, including 13,000 Australians.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was being constructed" to describe an ongoing building process in the past, especially when you want to emphasize the action rather than a completed state. For instance, "The bridge "it was being constructed" during the summer months".

Common error

Avoid switching to the present tense when describing a past construction process. Instead of "It was being constructed, and now it is finished", maintain consistency by saying "It was being constructed, and then it was finished".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was being constructed" functions as a past continuous passive construction. It indicates an action of construction that was ongoing at a specific point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically sound and widely accepted in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

28%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was being constructed" is a grammatically correct and useful phrase for describing ongoing construction in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is acceptable in written English. Though its frequency is relatively rare, according to the analyzed examples, it appears most commonly in news and media, and science contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you maintain consistent tense and consider more concise alternatives like "it was under construction" when appropriate. Ludwig examples help illustrate its proper use and context, reinforcing its utility in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was under construction

Replaces the verb phrase with a more concise and common idiomatic expression.

it was being erected

Substitutes "constructed" with a synonym that implies a more vertical or prominent build.

it was in the process of construction

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the building activity using a more formal tone.

it was in the course of construction

Similar to "in the process of construction" but uses slightly different wording for variety.

it was being assembled

Highlights the process of putting together different components to create the final object.

its construction was underway

Rearranges the sentence structure to emphasize the construction activity itself.

it was in development

Broadens the context to include any form of development, not just physical building.

construction efforts were in progress

Shifts focus to the efforts being made rather than the object being built.

it was getting built

Uses a more informal and direct phrasing to indicate the same action.

it was taking shape

Focuses on the gradual formation and emergence of the final structure.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was being constructed" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it was under construction", or "it was in the process of construction". These options provide a similar meaning with a more elevated vocabulary.

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

"It was being constructed" describes an ongoing action in the past (past continuous passive), while "it was constructed" describes a completed action in the past (simple past passive). For instance, "The building "it was being constructed" when the earthquake hit" versus "The building "it was constructed" in 1920".

Is "it was being constructed" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was being constructed" is grammatically correct. It uses the past continuous passive voice, which is appropriate for describing an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past.

When should I use "it was being constructed" instead of "it was built"?

Use "it was being constructed" when you want to emphasize the process of building and its duration in the past. Use "it was built" when you want to state simply that something was completed in the past. Consider "The house "it was built" in a year" versus "The house "it was being constructed" when the new regulations were announced".