it was breaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was breaking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something was in the process of breaking or failing in the past. Example: "As I watched the old bridge sway in the wind, I realized it was breaking under the pressure of the storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

— Onstage at the Hampton Coliseum, Phish was rehearsing for its resurrection: its first shows since it announced it was breaking up forever.

The New York Times - Arts

Rescue teams rarely criticise and Lochaber MRT acknowledged that it was "breaking with tradition" with its "rant" on its Facebook page.

BBC

The company said in the summer it was breaking itself up and handing back its 750 homes to landlords.

The Guardian - Business

In October 2002, America presented North Korea with evidence that it was breaking a 1994 deal designed to end its nuclear moonlighting, using plutonium, by starting up a second, uranium-based route to a bomb.

The Economist

"It was breaking point.

The Guardian - Sport

It was breaking new ground".

The New York Times - Sports

It was breaking news that was relevant.

The Washington Post

The court acknowledged that it was breaking new ground.

The New York Times

In retrospect, I realize that it was breaking apart.

The New York Times

For "The Music Man" it was breaking out.

The New York Times

"Just by sitting down and talking to each other, it was breaking through the madness".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was breaking" to describe an object or system undergoing physical or metaphorical breakage. Ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring that the referent of "it" is clear to your audience. If the subject is not immediately obvious, rephrase to specify the subject directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was breaking" functions as a verb phrase within a clause, typically serving as the main predicate. It describes an action in progress in the past. As indicated by Ludwig, this usage is grammatically sound and frequently encountered.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was breaking" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to describe a process of something failing, changing, or innovating. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and prevalence in various contexts, particularly within news and media. While suitable for neutral and objective communication, ensure the context clearly defines the subject, "it", to prevent ambiguity. Alternatives like "it was falling apart" or "it was failing" can offer nuanced shades of meaning, enhancing precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was failing

Focuses on the lack of success or the inability to function properly.

it was falling apart

Focuses on the disintegration aspect rather than a specific breaking point.

it was collapsing

Emphasizes a sudden and complete failure or breakdown.

it was cracking

Indicates the appearance of fissures or lines of weakness.

it was disintegrating

Highlights a gradual process of decay and fragmentation.

it was crumbling

Suggests a gradual deterioration or decay, often associated with structures.

it was shattering

Implies a forceful and sudden breaking into many pieces.

it was breaching

Focuses on violating or breaking through a barrier or agreement.

it was innovating

Highlights the introduction of new methods or ideas.

it was pioneering

Shifts the focus to innovation and new ground being explored.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was breaking" to describe something that was in the process of physically breaking, like "The branch snapped because "it was breaking" under the weight of the snow". Or, you can use it metaphorically, like "Her voice showed that "it was breaking" from sadness".

What are some alternatives to "it was breaking"?

Alternatives include "it was falling apart", "it was failing", or "it was crumbling", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "it was break" instead of "it was breaking"?

No, "it was break" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "it was breaking", which uses the past continuous tense to indicate an ongoing action in the past.

What's the difference between "it broke" and "it was breaking"?

"It broke" indicates a completed action in the past, meaning something is already broken. "It was breaking" indicates an action in progress in the past, meaning something was in the process of breaking but may not have fully broken yet.