it was being done

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was being done" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that was ongoing in the past, often in a passive voice context. Example: "The project was challenging, but it was being done with great care by the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

A spokesperson for the Department of Environment has confirmed the move in "mid-September" to Guardian Australia, and said it was being done "in order to improve its operating efficiency".

The Guardian

But it was being done in a planned way.

The Guardian

And most of the work of removing it was being done by wheelbarrow.

The New Yorker

It was being done at multiple locations, which meant that there had to be some general guidance..

The New Yorker

Twenty years ago, it was hard to do anything about it because it was being done in such wide numbers".

The New York Times

"Not only did I want to know it existed, I wanted to make sure it was being done the way they said it was being done," Mr. Fisher said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Yet it is being done.

The New Yorker

It is being done elsewhere.

The New York Times

It is being done.

The Guardian

"It's being done locally now, too".

The New York Times

It's inadvertent, but it's being done.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was being done" to describe actions that were ongoing in the past, particularly when the actor is unknown or unimportant. For example, "The investigation was complex, but it was being done thoroughly."

Common error

While "it was being done" is grammatically sound, overuse can lead to wordy and less direct sentences. Consider if an active voice construction would be more concise and impactful. For instance, instead of "The report was being written by the team", try "The team was writing the report".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was being done" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that an action was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig examples confirm its use to describe ongoing processes where the actor is not the primary focus. It's a grammatical construction for focusing on the action itself.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

14%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was being done" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to describe an action that was in progress in the past. According to Ludwig, it's particularly useful when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or when emphasizing the action itself. Its usage is very common, appearing frequently in news and media, scientific publications, and general writing. While versatile, writers should be mindful of potentially overuse of passive voice and seek more direct language where appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was in the process of being done

Adds emphasis on the ongoing nature of the action.

the task was in progress

Highlights the state of a task.

it was underway

Emphasizes the commencement and continuation of the action.

the process was underway

Emphasizes the process rather than the item.

it was in development

Highlights the stage of development or progress.

it was being performed

More formal way to describe the action.

it was under construction

Focuses on the building or creation aspect.

it was getting implemented

Highlights the action of putting something into effect.

it was getting executed

Focuses on the carrying out of a plan or task.

it was in action

Suggests that something was operating or functioning.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was being done" to be more concise?

Consider using active voice or a more direct construction depending on the context. Some alternatives include "it was underway", "it was in progress", or simply stating who was doing it.

Is "it was being done" passive or active voice?

"It was being done" is a passive voice construction. It describes an action being performed on something, rather than someone actively performing the action.

When is it appropriate to use "it was being done" instead of a more direct statement?

Use "it was being done" when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or you want to emphasize the action itself. For example, "The repairs were being done overnight to minimize disruption."

What are some common synonyms for "it was being done" in a formal setting?

In a more formal setting, you could use phrases like "it was being performed", "it was getting implemented", or "the task was in progress" to convey a similar meaning.