it was broadcasting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was broadcasting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that was taking place in the past, specifically referring to the transmission of a signal or program. Example: "During the storm, it was broadcasting emergency alerts to keep the public informed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The plotters would later take over CNN's Turkish affiliate while it was broadcasting live, though by about 4 30am local time, the station's broadcast had resumed.

Vice

On one recent morning it was broadcasting gospel music.

The New York Times

With the government's fate uncertain, it was broadcasting a program on cotton prices.

The New York Times

It was broadcasting live footage of a shoot-out between criminals and policemen in São Paulo.

The New Yorker

"The streets used to be deserted when it was broadcasting," Mohamed Abdou, secretary general of the CPR, recalled this week.

The Guardian

There was never a better reason to switch over to Guerilla Cricket, where it was broadcasting Kevin O'Brien's fine innings, the first Test hundred for Ireland.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Russia's neighbours have been complaining that it is broadcasting "propaganda" on its television channels.

BBC

How Russia is reporting on Ukraine Jump to media player Russia's neighbours have been complaining that it is broadcasting "propaganda" on its television channels.

BBC

Unlike BBC Radio 3, the BBC's classical music arm, which broadcasts all 92 of this year's concerts, WQXR is being selective: it is broadcasting only eight full concerts, on Saturday evenings at 5 p.m., starting on July 20.

The New York Times

In between breaks for music it is broadcasting what sounds like mobile phone audio from protesters.

The Guardian

The car is only 100 miles from the signal tower, and the radio sounds as if it is broadcasting a shower.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was broadcasting", ensure the subject 'it' is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify "the radio station it was broadcasting" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "it is broadcasting" when referring to a past event. "It was broadcasting" correctly indicates a continuous action in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was broadcasting" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense, describing an ongoing action of transmitting information. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct. It indicates that something was actively sending out a signal or program.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

99%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was broadcasting" is a grammatically correct and contextually versatile way to describe a past action of transmitting content. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its validity and usability. While the phrase isn't excessively common, it appears frequently in news and media, indicating a neutral register. When writing with this phrase, clarify the subject to avoid ambiguity and ensure the tense aligns with the past action. Consider alternatives like "it was airing" or "it was transmitting" for nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was airing

Replaces "broadcasting" with "airing", implying transmission over radio or television.

it was transmitting

Substitutes "broadcasting" with "transmitting", which is a more general term for sending signals.

it was showing

Replaces "broadcasting" with "showing", often used in the context of movies or visual content.

it was streaming

Uses "streaming" instead of "broadcasting", suggesting a digital transmission over the internet.

it was telecasting

Replaces "broadcasting" with "telecasting", emphasizing television broadcasting.

it was on the air

Expresses the idea of broadcasting using the idiomatic expression "on the air".

it was presenting

Uses "presenting" in place of "broadcasting", focusing on the act of displaying or offering content.

it was relaying

Substitutes "broadcasting" with "relaying", which emphasizes the action of passing on information.

it was disseminating

Replaces "broadcasting" with "disseminating", indicating a wider distribution of information.

it was disseminating

Replaces "broadcasting" with "disseminating", indicating a wider distribution of information.

FAQs

What does "it was broadcasting" mean?

The phrase "it was broadcasting" describes something that was transmitting a signal or program at a specific point in the past. For instance, "the radio station it was broadcasting news" indicates that the station was actively transmitting news at that time.

What are some alternatives to "it was broadcasting"?

You can use alternatives like "it was airing", "it was transmitting", or "it was showing" depending on the specific context.

How do I use "it was broadcasting" in a sentence?

Use "it was broadcasting" to describe an entity that was actively transmitting content in the past. For example, "During the emergency, the local station it was broadcasting crucial safety information".

Is there a difference between "it was broadcasting" and "it is broadcasting"?

"It was broadcasting" refers to a past action, while "it is broadcasting" indicates a present action. For example, "Yesterday, the network it was broadcasting a special report" (past) versus "Right now, the network it is broadcasting live coverage" (present).