it was continuing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was continuing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an ongoing action or event that was happening in the past. Example: "Despite the rain, the concert it was continuing, much to the delight of the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cutrale-Safra said it was continuing its due diligence on the deal.

Independent

The hospital, in Valhalla, said that it was continuing its internal investigation.

The New York Times

And UFJ said it was continuing its discussions with Mitsubishi Tokyo.

The New York Times

The SEC said it was continuing its investigation.

Los Angeles Times

It was continuing its westward march toward the Dominican Republic.

Los Angeles Times

Tuesday, Mr. Morsi's office said it was continuing with its plans for dialogue and reconciliation with its opponents.

The New York Times

The Met said it was continuing to review its donation policies.

The Washington Post

Dynegy, worried about its own reputation, assured investors it was continuing to check out Enron.

The New York Times

The organisation said it was continuing to work with its members, helicopter operators and unions on addressing the issues.

BBC

Southeastern said it was continuing to concentrate on improving its service.

BBC

In its earnings report on Thursday, H.P. showed that it was continuing to struggle with slow growth.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was continuing" to clearly indicate that an action or state was in progress at a specific point in the past, especially when providing context or explaining the sequence of events.

Common error

Avoid using "it was continuing" when a simpler past continuous tense ("it was continuing") would suffice. Overusing the progressive form can make your writing sound awkward or unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was continuing" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It indicates an action or state that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was continuing" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an action or state that was in progress at a specific point in the past. As Ludwig confirms, it's frequently used in news and media contexts to provide context and emphasize the duration of ongoing events. While "it was continuing" is generally neutral, alternative phrases like "it was proceeding" can offer a more formal tone, while "it kept going" conveys a more informal and emphatic sense of persistence. When using this phrase, be mindful of the tense to avoid awkward phrasing. The AI, confirms that the phrase is usable and common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was proceeding

Replaces 'continuing' with a synonym that emphasizes forward movement or progress.

it was progressing

Similar to 'proceeding', this highlights the advancement or development of something.

it was in progress

Shifts the focus to the state of being underway, rather than the act of continuing.

it remained ongoing

Combines 'remained' to emphasize persistence and 'ongoing' to indicate continuous activity.

it persisted

Highlights the unwavering nature of the action, suggesting it faced resistance but endured.

it carried on

An idiomatic phrase that means to continue, often despite difficulties.

it kept going

A more informal way to express continuation, suitable for less formal contexts.

it never stopped

Emphasizes the uninterrupted nature of the action, highlighting its persistence.

it was sustained

Focuses on the support or maintenance of the action, implying it required effort to keep it going.

it held steady

Suggests a continuation at the same level or pace, without significant change.

FAQs

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

Use "it was continuing" to describe an action that was in progress in the past, often highlighting that it persisted over a period. For example, "Despite the setbacks, the research "it was continuing"."

What's a more formal alternative to "it was continuing"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it was proceeding" or "it remained ongoing". These options provide a similar meaning with a slightly elevated register.

Is there a subtle difference between "it was continuing" and "it continued"?

Yes, "it was continuing" emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action at a specific time in the past, whereas "it continued" simply states that the action persisted. The former often implies a sense of interruption or expectation that the action might have stopped.

How does "it was continuing" differ from "it kept going"?

"It kept going" is a more informal and emphatic way of saying ""it was continuing"", often suggesting persistence despite challenges. "It was continuing" is a more neutral and descriptive statement.