it was being operated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was being operated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that was happening in the past, particularly when referring to a machine or system that was in use. Example: "During the demonstration, it was being operated by a skilled technician who explained its features."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

It was being operated by Customs and Border Protection when its engine was accidentally turned off by the team piloting it from a control room at an army base.

The Economist

SCHUMER: (inaudible) You thought something was wrong with how it was being operated or administered or overseen.

The Washington Post

Contribsx was blocked by the online encyclopedia earlier this week because of suspicions it was being operated by Shapps or "someone close to him".

The Guardian

The business grew and then faded, and by 2002, it was being operated out of a mall in Newark's demoralized downtown by two of Mr. Braverman's sons.

The New York Times

In its revocation letter, the agency said that Scientology's activities were commercial and that it was being operated for the benefit of Mr. Hubbard, a view supported by the courts several times in the ensuing 25 years.

The New York Times

In defending their decision to revive the use of the a detained fast-track system justice ministers point that the appeal court ruling in 2015 did not find the principle itself unlawful – only the way it was being operated.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

It was as if I was being operated by remote control.

The Guardian

It is being operated in Ooty, India since 1 January 2000.

Advances in Space Research

The circle with that field center should turn red in the Drawing window, indicating it is being operated on.

Harvard University

"It's being operated with a dictatorship of the speaker, not allowing the vast majority of the House of Representatives to get what they want," Reid said.

The New Yorker

And "if it's being operated by an airline you've never heard of, it's a pretty good bet it's a regional carrier," said Tom Botts, a partner at Hudson Crossing, a travel industry consultant in New York.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was being operated", ensure the context clearly identifies who or what was performing the operation to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "the system was being operated by engineers".

Common error

Avoid using "it was being operated" without specifying who or what was operating it. This can lead to confusion and weaken the clarity of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was being operated" functions as a verb phrase in the passive voice, indicating an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was being operated" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to describe an ongoing action in the past. Ludwig confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples from diverse sources. While generally neutral in register, it is crucial to specify the agent performing the action for clarity. Common contexts include News & Media, Academia, and Science, with less frequency in Formal & Business settings. When aiming for conciseness, consider alternatives like "it was in operation" or "it was running". Ludwig also suggests alternatives like "it was under management" or "it was under control" for formal usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was in operation

Emphasizes the state of being functional or active, rather than the act of being controlled.

it was under management

Highlights the aspect of being controlled or directed by a managing entity.

it was under control

Focuses on the state of being governed or regulated.

it was being utilized

Stresses the act of making use of something for a specific purpose.

it was being run

Similar to operated, but can also imply a business or system in action.

it was in service

Highlights the state of being available or ready for use.

it was being guided

Focuses on the direction or navigation aspect of the operation.

it was actively used

Emphasizes the active nature of the operation.

it was subject to operation

Highlights the object that receives action and the action itself, the operation.

it was actively controlled

Focuses on the dynamic of control, making the sentence more emphatic.

FAQs

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

Consider using phrases like "it was in operation" or "it was running" for shorter alternatives depending on the context.

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

"It was being operated" implies a continuous or ongoing action in the past, whereas "it was operated" suggests a completed action. For example, "the machine was being operated all day" versus "the machine was operated yesterday".

Is "it was being operated by" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was being operated by" is grammatically correct and specifies the agent performing the action. For instance, "the drone "it was being operated by civilian contractors"".

What are some formal alternatives to "it was being operated"?

In formal writing, you might use "it was under management" or "it was under control" to convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.