it was displaying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was displaying" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an action that was happening in the past, particularly in relation to something being shown or exhibited. Example: "During the presentation, it was displaying the latest sales figures on the screen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

For the A group, it was set to its 3D mode; for the C E groups it was displaying 2D.

Ergonomics

Or maybe it was displaying a newfound and welcome willingness to countenance rival and mutually contradictory views.

The New Yorker

But presumably this kept going all day, so eventually it was displaying messages such as "Mick McCarthy, the manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers, says, 'I'm absolutely gutted.

Independent

According to relativity, however, Dr. Magueijo explained, differently moving observers could disagree on how much energy the particle had and thus whether it was displaying quantum gravity effects or not.

The New York Times - Science

"Following America again," said Xiol. "When can we take the lead on something?" However, US bank Goldman Sachs, did get nil points after saying it was displaying "restraint" by cutting bonus payments to top-earning staff.

The Guardian - Business

As of 5 30, it was displaying the shutdown notice seen above.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Last year it was displayed at the Greenport library.

The New York Times

It was the wrong thing, or it was displayed incorrectly.

The New York Times

It was displayed alongside a map of the region.

The Economist

(It was displayed in a Staten Island funeral home in 2003).

The New York Times - Arts

(It was displayed prominently on The Times's Web site).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was displaying" when you want to clearly indicate that something was actively showing or presenting information, content, or a particular state at a specific point in the past. This is especially useful when describing visual displays, data representations, or system statuses.

Common error

Avoid automatically substituting synonyms like "showing" or "presenting" without considering the context. While similar, "displaying" often implies a more passive presentation of information, whereas "presenting" suggests a more active and intentional demonstration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was displaying" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. According to Ludwig, this construction describes an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. The function is to indicate what something (the 'it') was showing or presenting.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was displaying" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe an action in progress in the past, specifically when referring to something being shown or presented. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While versatile, it often carries a neutral to slightly formal tone, fitting well within news, scientific, or technical contexts. For more informal situations, simpler alternatives like "it was showing" may suffice. The phrase is most frequently found in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts, according to the analysis of various sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was showing

Replaces 'displaying' with 'showing', a more common synonym.

it was exhibiting

Substitutes 'displaying' with 'exhibiting', suggesting a formal presentation.

it was presenting

Replaces 'displaying' with 'presenting', emphasizing active showcasing.

it showed

Simplifies the phrase by using the past tense 'showed'.

it featured

Replaces 'displaying' with 'featured', highlighting a specific inclusion.

it revealed

Substitutes 'displaying' with 'revealed', suggesting the unveiling of information.

it indicated

Replaces 'displaying' with 'indicated', focusing on a sign or signal.

it communicated

Substitutes 'displaying' with 'communicated', highlighting information transfer.

it gave the impression

Replaces the phrase with a more descriptive expression conveying the same meaning.

it had on view

Replaces the phrase with an idiom referring to something available to be seen.

FAQs

What does "it was displaying" mean?

The phrase "it was displaying" means that something was showing or presenting information at a specific time in the past. It is often used to describe what a screen, sign, or system was showing.

What can I say instead of "it was displaying"?

You can use alternatives like "it was showing", "it was exhibiting", or "it was presenting" depending on the context.

Is "it was displaying" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was displaying" is grammatically correct. It uses the past continuous tense, indicating an ongoing action in the past. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable in written English.

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

You can use "it was displaying" to describe what a device or system was showing. For example: "For the C–E groups "it was displaying" 2D" or "As of 5:30, "it was displaying" the shutdown notice".