it was being developed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was being developed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an ongoing process of development that occurred in the past. Example: "The software was still in its early stages, and it was being developed to meet the needs of users."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

According to one of Mr. Giuliani's economic advisers at the time, John Dyson, and to officials of the consortium, the Port Authority would not let the consortium disclose to the city the terms of its lease for Terminal 4 as it was being developed.

The New York Times

And, it was being developed by a nation that had seen its dictator, Zia al-Haq, impose strict Islamic fundamentalist law.

Huffington Post

It was being developed with him in mind.

The Guardian - Film

Mr. Glisan, 38, described the barge deal as one that bothered him as it was being developed.

The New York Times

I was once an advisory teacher for design technology and saw real hope in the way it was being developed in primary schools.

The Guardian

A few years ago, it was being developed by Vornado Realty Trust, based in New York, but construction had stalled because of the recession, leaving a crater in the middle of the city's historic shopping district.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

The Housatonic River Valley Trail also differs from the others in that it is being developed by the economic development partnership, said Peg Daley, project director for the trail.

The New York Times

It is being developed by the Shelbourne Development Group, a developer based in Dublin that took over the project from Fordham Development.

The New York Times

It is being developed by the council and developers Kier.

BBC

Apparently it's being developed by a "well-known video game developer".

TechCrunch

It is being developed by the New York Air Terminals , Inc

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was being developed" when you want to emphasize that the development process was ongoing at a specific time in the past. For example, "The software was still in beta because it was being developed alongside user feedback."

Common error

Avoid using "it was being developed" when the development is already complete and you're describing a finished product. In such cases, use "it was developed" or "it has been developed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was being developed" functions as a passive construction in the past continuous tense. It indicates that something was undergoing a process of development at a specific time in the past. Ludwig confirms that this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

15%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was being developed" is a grammatically sound and commonly used construction to describe an ongoing process of development in the past. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its frequency is classified as common with usage found predominantly in news and media sources and science. When writing, remember that the construction highlights the continuous aspect of development, and be mindful of using the correct tense. Consider using alternatives like "it was under development" for a more concise phrasing. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively incorporate "it was being developed" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was under development

Replaces the continuous tense with a static description of being in development.

it was in development

Shortens the phrase while maintaining the same meaning.

it was in the process of development

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the development.

it was in its developmental stages

Highlights the early phase of development.

it was actively developed

Focuses on the active and ongoing effort in development.

it was being created

Replaces 'developed' with a synonym, emphasizing the act of creation.

it was taking shape

Implies the object of development was gradually becoming more defined.

it was evolving

Shifts the focus to the continuous evolution of the subject.

it was being built

Substitutes 'developed' with 'built', suggesting physical construction or assembly.

it was in production

Highlights the phase where the subject is being actively produced or manufactured.

FAQs

What does "it was being developed" mean?

The phrase "it was being developed" signifies that something was in the process of being created, improved, or expanded at a specific point in the past. It indicates an ongoing action during that period.

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

You can use alternatives like "it was under development", "it was in development", or "it was taking shape" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it was being developed" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was being developed" is grammatically correct. It uses the past continuous passive tense, indicating an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past.

How to use "it was being developed" in a sentence?

You can use "it was being developed" in sentences like: "The new application "it was being developed" to meet the changing needs of the customers." or "The prototype "it was being developed" with the help of external consultants."