it was bombing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was bombing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that was failing or not performing well, often in a colloquial context. Example: "The movie was highly anticipated, but it was bombing at the box office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Russian officials angrily rejected charges from France and the US that it was bombing and killing civilians during its air raids in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Independent

Then it was bombing.

The New Yorker

Was he the fellow who lambasted NATO when it was bombing the Serbs over Kosovo?

The Economist

It was bombing markets and trade convoys to disrupt food supply chains.

The Guardian

Barely any improvement are Australia and Belgium, while a Danish official once said his military would prefer "to hide in the crowd" rather than say where it was bombing.

Independent

Whether it was bombing (Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan), or demonising dictators (Saddam in Iraq, Gaddafi in Libya, Assad in Syria) it was as though the US and UK governments never contemplated the extraordinary dangerous consequences of a power vacuum.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It was bombed in 1989.

The New York Times - Arts

It was bombed flat in 1944.

The Guardian - Arts

Didn't they?"... "It was bombed.

The New York Times

At one point it was bombed by the Americans.

The Economist

Minutes before she arrived, it was bombed, killing 80 people.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was bombing" to describe situations where aerial attacks or failures are central to the narrative. It fits well in news reports, historical accounts, and even informal descriptions of disastrous performances.

Common error

Avoid using "it was bombing" in formal contexts where a more precise or technical term is required. Overusing colloquial expressions can undermine the seriousness of the topic at hand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was bombing" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an ongoing action in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its use in describing a situation where active aerial attacks were occurring or, metaphorically, something was failing drastically.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was bombing" is a grammatically sound verb phrase typically used to describe active aerial attacks or, metaphorically, a situation of utter failure. Ludwig AI confirms that while the phrase is valid, its register is generally neutral to informal, making it suitable for news reporting or casual conversation but potentially less appropriate for formal or technical writing. Use this phrase to convey an active situation of either bombardment or disastrous performance, keeping in mind its contextual appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was under attack

Replaces "bombing" with a broader term for being attacked.

it was being bombarded

Substitutes "bombing" with a more descriptive term implying continuous attacks.

it suffered heavy aerial assault

Replaces the verb phrase with a more formal description of an air attack.

it was a target of air raids

Reformulates the sentence to focus on being the target of bombing.

it experienced aerial bombardment

Uses a noun phrase to describe the experience of being bombed.

it was devastated by air strikes

Emphasizes the destructive result of the bombing.

it was shelled continuously

Focuses on continuous shelling rather than just bombing.

it endured relentless bombing

Highlights the relentless nature of the bombing.

it failed spectacularly

Emphasizes the complete failure, applicable in contexts where "bombing" means failing.

it was a complete disaster

Conveys that the situation was a failure, similar to a performance "bombing".

FAQs

How can I use "it was bombing" in a sentence?

You can use "it was bombing" to describe a location that was under aerial attack, such as: "During the war, the city suffered greatly because "it was bombing" frequently." It can also describe something that is failing badly.

What are some alternatives to "it was bombing"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "it was under attack", "it was being bombarded", or, if referring to a failure, "it failed spectacularly".

Is "it was bombing" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "it was bombing" is generally more suited for news reporting or informal contexts. For formal writing, consider using more precise and descriptive alternatives.

What is the difference between "it was bombing" and "it was bombed"?

"It was bombing" describes the action of bombing taking place, whereas "it was bombed" describes the state of having been subjected to a bombing attack.