it was deciding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was deciding" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where a decision was in the process of being made or was being determined at a specific time in the past. Example: "During the meeting, it was deciding whether to proceed with the project or not."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

(Google itself was an early-stage investor, but sold off its interest in Baidu as it was deciding to expand into the Chinese market).

Huffington Post

It was deciding not to retreat into her victimhood.

The New York Times

Whether it was a marriage, or whether it was deciding to stop and have children.

The Guardian - Music

The KSF has said that the Fina scholarships "helped" when it was deciding who to pick for Rio.

The Guardian - Sport

It seemed easier that morning to take the responsibility of deciding to do something, to proceed with an operation, than it was deciding not to intervene.

The New York Times - Health

But State Department officials, who have advised the orchestra as it was deciding whether to accept an invitation, have said the government there will allow the American anthem.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

It was decided.

The New York Times - Travel

It was decided then".

The New York Times - Sports

Once it was decided, it was decided.

The New Yorker

"It was decided by force.

The New York Times - Sports

It was decided by will.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was deciding" to clearly indicate that a decision-making process was underway at a specific time in the past. This phrasing is useful for conveying a sense of deliberation or uncertainty during that period.

Common error

Avoid using "it was deciding" when you want to describe a completed decision. Instead, use "it was decided" or "the decision was made" to indicate that the process is finished.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was deciding" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It describes an action of making a decision that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was deciding" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe an ongoing decision-making process in the past. Ludwig AI validates this. It's important to distinguish it from "it was decided", which indicates a completed action. This phrase commonly appears in News & Media sources and is suitable for neutral contexts. Use "it was deciding" to convey a sense of deliberation or uncertainty, as shown in the examples provided. Remember to avoid using it when the decision is already finalized; opt for "it was decided" instead. Alternatives include "it was determining" or "it was in the process of deciding". When you want to highlight a specific moment in time, "it was deciding" is a clear and effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was in the process of deciding

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the decision-making.

it was in the act of deciding

Highlights the action of deciding.

it was determining

Uses a synonym for deciding to convey a similar meaning.

it was resolving

Focuses on the resolution aspect of deciding.

it was settling

Implies a final decision was nearing.

it was figuring out

Informal way of saying deciding.

it was considering

Highlights contemplation before a decision.

it was weighing

Implies careful consideration of options.

a decision was pending

Shifts the focus to the state of the decision.

a determination was being made

Formal phrasing to indicate a decision process.

FAQs

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

Use "it was deciding" to describe a past situation where a decision-making process was ongoing. For example, "The committee "it was deciding" which candidate to select during the meeting".

What is a good alternative to "it was deciding"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "it was determining", "it was considering", or "it was resolving".

Is "it was deciding" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was deciding" is grammatically correct. It uses the past continuous tense to indicate an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past, but it's key to use it when the action has not completed yet.

What's the difference between "it was deciding" and "it was decided"?

"It was deciding" indicates an ongoing process of making a decision, while "it was decided" indicates that the decision has already been made.