it was being shared

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was being shared" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that was occurring in the past, specifically when something was in the process of being distributed or communicated to others. Example: "During the meeting, it was being shared that the new policy would take effect next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He later discovered, he says, that the incorrect information provided by NatWest to the credit agencies was still available and, worse, it was being shared.

The Guardian - Money

Around 2 P.M., I noticed that Saungkha's new poem had already been posted to his Facebook account, and it was being shared and "liked" and commented on.

The New Yorker

The report, a redacted copy of which is available on the commission's website, is one of several periodic reviews of Facebook's compliance with a 2011 federal consent decree, which required Facebook to take wide-ranging steps to prevent the abuse of users' information and to inform them how it was being shared with other companies.

The New York Times - Tech

Mr Eckersley said the "careless" data-sharing was likely to have caused distress to many people because they did not know it was being shared so widely.

BBC

It was being shared internally as part of Hulu's launch readiness planning, which includes standard prep work like staff training, mock customer calls, getting staff familiar with the offerings, internal testing (dogfooding) and other agenda items.

TechCrunch

Soon it was being shared among other music-loving parents.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"The process is about effectively communicating to consumers what data is being collected and who it is being shared with," Mr. Potter says.

The New York Times - Tech

Check this box if any of data types legally sensitive in the jurisdiction and context in which it is being shared?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

However, he places the onus on the source of the story – the website creating the content – rather than the place it is being shared, ie Facebook.

The Guardian - Tech

And it is being shared on a classified basis and, obviously, most of the time, when you go into a court of law, you have to have it available for the jury and for the defense, et cetera.

Yale University

Shortcut: Take a look at the quality of your content and where it's being shared.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was being shared", ensure the subject ('it') is clearly defined and understood within the context of your writing. Ambiguity can confuse the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "it was being shared" when the 'it' lacks a clear antecedent. Always ensure the noun or concept being shared is explicitly stated or easily inferred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was being shared" functions as a passive construction in the past continuous tense. This indicates that an action (sharing) was underway at a specific point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was being shared" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to describe an action of distribution or communication that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not extremely frequent, it appears in various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure the subject is clear to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "it was getting circulated" or "it was being disseminated" for nuanced meanings. The phrase generally maintains a neutral register and is suitable for formal and informal writing, depending on context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was in the process of being shared

Adds emphasis on the continuous nature of sharing activity.

it was getting circulated

Focuses on the process of something spreading through a network.

it was getting distributed

Emphasizes the act of handing something out to multiple recipients.

it was actively shared

Highlight that the sharing activity happened in a dynamic way.

it was getting disseminated

Highlights the act of spreading information widely, often formally.

it was in circulation

Indicates that something was available and moving among people.

it was commonly shared

The sharing process was something popular.

it was propagating

Implies a more active and expansive spreading, like a rumor or trend.

it saw a lot of shares

Focuses on the outcome of the sharing.

it gained popularity

Indicates that sharing led to an increase in interest.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was being shared" to describe the dissemination of information, resources, or content. For example, "During the conference, it was being shared that budget cuts were imminent."

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

Alternatives include "it was getting circulated", "it was getting distributed", or "it was getting disseminated", each implying a slightly different nuance of distribution.

Is it correct to say "it was shared" instead of "it was being shared"?

Yes, "it was shared" is grammatically correct and implies a completed action of sharing, whereas "it was being shared" suggests that the action was in progress at a specific point in time. Choose the phrasing that best suits the intended meaning.

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

"It was being shared" refers to a past action that was in progress, while "it is being shared" indicates an action currently in progress. The choice depends on the time frame you want to convey.