it was burning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was burning" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that was on fire or experiencing combustion in the past. Example: "As we approached the old building, we could see that it was burning brightly against the night sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"At its peak, it was burning about 1,000 acres an hour," Roper said.

Los Angeles Times

In 2008, when Ford lost a record $14.8 billion, it was burning through nearly $2 billion of its cash every month.

The New York Times

It was burning down.

The New York Times - Books

"It was burning, it was red.

The New York Times

By June it was burning hot.

The New York Times

And all around, it was burning".

The New York Times - Magazine

"It was burning the bridge between the two buildings.

The New York Times

The fact that it was burning hydrogen was unremarkable, from a driving point of view.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Now it is burning".

The New York Times

It's burning right now, it's burning up".

The Guardian

If it's burning, take it off.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was burning" to describe not only literal fires but also intense emotional states or processes of rapid consumption, such as "it was burning a hole in my pocket".

Common error

Avoid using "burning" metaphorically too often, as it can become cliché. Opt for more varied and evocative language to describe intense emotions or processes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was burning" typically functions as a verb phrase, specifically in the past continuous tense. It describes an action (burning) that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig's examples illustrate this function across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was burning" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe an ongoing combustion process in the past. Ludwig provides numerous examples from diverse sources, confirming its applicability across different registers and contexts. It's essential to consider the specific nuances of the situation to choose the most appropriate synonym for "burning", avoiding overuse of the term in metaphorical senses. The phrase primarily appears in news and media, with less frequent use in formal business and encyclopedic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was on fire

Replaces "burning" with a more direct synonym "on fire", indicating active combustion.

it was aflame

Substitutes "burning" with "aflame", offering a slightly more poetic or intense connotation of being on fire.

it was combusting

Replaces "burning" with the more technical term "combusting", suitable for scientific or formal contexts.

it was incinerating

Substitutes "burning" with "incinerating", suggesting a complete and intense burning process.

it was scorching

Replaces "burning" with "scorching", emphasizing the intense heat and potential for surface damage.

it was smoldering

Substitutes "burning" with "smoldering", indicating a slow, flameless burning process.

it was ablaze

Replaces "burning" with "ablaze", indicating a more visually striking and widespread fire.

it was consumed by fire

Expands the phrase to emphasize the totality of the fire's effect.

it was being destroyed by fire

Adds a passive voice construction to highlight the destructive impact of the fire.

it was reduced to ashes

Expresses the complete destruction caused by the burning, focusing on the end result.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was burning" to describe something actively on fire, like "The forest was dry, and "it was burning" fiercely." It can also be used metaphorically to describe something being consumed or destroyed rapidly.

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

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "it was on fire", "it was ablaze", or "it was smoldering". Each conveys a slightly different nuance of combustion.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it was burning"?

Yes, "it was burning" is grammatically correct. It uses the past continuous tense of the verb "burn", indicating an ongoing action in the past.

What's the difference between "it was burning" and "it burned"?

"It was burning" describes an ongoing process in the past, while "it burned" describes a completed action. For example, "It was burning for hours" versus "it burned to the ground".