it was building

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was building" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a gradual increase or development of something, such as tension, excitement, or a physical structure. Example: "As the storm approached, the anticipation in the crowd was palpable; it was building with every rumble of thunder."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Toyota's handling of safety problems contrasts with steps Toyota took 30 years ago, when it was building its American operations.

The New York Times

Before Facebook suddenly acquired Instagram in 2012, it was building its own photo editing app called… Facebook Camera.

TechCrunch

"It was building up its naval power.

The New York Times

To be fair, "Today" was much farther ahead in those days, so it was building on its lead.

The New York Times

NBC had believed it was building an audience for its own game show, "Twenty One," on Wednesday nights.

The New York Times

In recent days, North Korea claimed that it was building a new uranium-enrichment facility at its main atomic plant.

Los Angeles Times

By 1900 it was building skyscrapers.

The Guardian - Arts

It was building toward a climax.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was building a base for my object.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"It's building.

The New York Times - Travel

It's building people, too".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was building" to describe an ongoing process, whether physical (like a structure) or abstract (like a relationship or tension).

Common error

Avoid using "it was building" when a simple past tense ("it built") is more appropriate to describe a completed action. "It was building" emphasizes the process and duration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was building" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. According to Ludwig AI, it describes an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. The continuous aspect emphasizes the duration and ongoing nature of the "building" activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was building" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase in English. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for describing an ongoing action in the past. It commonly appears in news, academic, and wiki sources, demonstrating its versatility. Related phrases like "it was constructing" or "it was developing" can offer nuanced alternatives. Remember to use it to emphasize the continuous nature of an action and avoid confusing it with the simple past tense. With a high expert rating and numerous examples, "it was building" is a reliable choice for expressing the idea of ongoing creation or development.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was constructing

Replaces "building" with a more formal synonym, "constructing".

it was developing

Emphasizes the gradual growth and evolution of something over time.

it was creating

Shifts the focus to the act of creation, emphasizing the origin of something new.

it was forming

Focuses on the initial stages of development and the taking shape of something.

it was establishing

Highlights the act of setting something up on a firm or permanent basis.

it was generating

Focuses on the production or bringing into existence of something.

it was assembling

Highlights the act of putting together different parts to create a whole.

it was erecting

Suggests raising or building something tall or substantial.

it was fabricating

Implies a more deliberate and possibly artificial process of creation.

it was pioneering

Suggests initiating or developing something entirely new.

FAQs

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

Use "it was building" to describe a continuous action of creating or developing something over a period of time. For example, "The company reported that "it was building" a new factory last year".

What are some alternatives to saying "it was building"?

You can use phrases like "it was constructing", "it was developing", or "it was creating" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "it was building" or should I say "it built"?

Both are correct, but they convey different meanings. "It built" implies a completed action, while ""it was building"" indicates an ongoing process at a specific time in the past.

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

"It is building" describes an action happening now, whereas ""it was building"" refers to an action that was in progress at some point in the past.