it was easing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was easing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or feeling that is becoming less intense or severe over time. Example: "As the storm passed, the wind was easing, and the rain began to lighten."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

A federal agency investigating the death of a volunteer in a research study at Johns Hopkins University announced today that it was easing its four-day-old suspension of research experiments involving human subjects at the university.

The New York Times

Michael Wines (NYT) BRITAIN: GOOD NEWS FOR LIVESTOCK The government said that because of the drop in the number of new cases of foot-and-mouth disease, it was easing its policy of automatically slaughtering healthy animals on farms next to those with infected cattle.

The New York Times

If this were the case, the ECB would probably send some sort of signal to the market that it was easing its monetary stance.

Forbes

When inflation was above target, it was easing policy; now it is below target, it is doing nothing.

The Economist

Thankfully, just two weeks ago, the agency announced that it was easing some of the restrictions it imposed in April on the use of F.M.T. for clostridium difficile.

The New York Times

The United States announced in March that it was easing sanctions against Iran by allowing the import of three luxury items: carpets, pistachios and caviar.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

It was eased only in the 1980s when China needed cheap labour for its factories.

The Economist

Normally I would feel the pressure but I was feeling so confident it was eased a little bit.

The Guardian - Sport

BBC cameraman Jack Garland filmed one of the Merlins as it was eased into the back of an RAF C17 at Camp Bastion.

BBC

Could it be I was easing into California?

The New York Times - Travel

Now he's waving New York goodbye just when it is easing its drug laws.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was easing" to describe a gradual reduction in intensity, pressure, or strictness. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is becoming less intense.

Common error

Avoid using "it was easing" when a situation has completely resolved. The phrase implies a partial reduction, not a total cessation. If something has stopped entirely, use phrases like "it had stopped" or "it was over".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was easing" functions as a phrasal verb in the past continuous tense. It describes an action (easing) that was in progress at a specific time in the past. As Ludwig shows, it is frequently used to illustrate the subsiding of tensions, restrictions, or pain.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was easing" is a grammatically correct phrasal verb used to describe a gradual reduction in intensity, pressure, or severity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, indicating a neutral register. While not extremely frequent, its consistent presence in reputable sources validates its usage. Consider alternatives like "it was subsiding" or "it was lessening" depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Be mindful of the degree of change; "it was easing" suggests a partial reduction, not a complete resolution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was lessening

A more general term for something becoming smaller or weaker.

it was subsiding

Focuses on the lessening of something intense, like a storm or pain.

it was abating

Implies a reduction in force or intensity, often used for natural phenomena.

it was calming down

Suggests a return to a more peaceful or stable state.

it was diminishing

Emphasizes a gradual decrease in size, importance, or intensity.

it was becoming less severe

A more descriptive alternative, emphasizing the reduction in severity.

it was slackening

Indicates a decrease in speed, intensity, or tightness.

it was alleviating

Suggests the reduction of suffering, pain, or difficulty.

it was relenting

Suggests a yielding or softening of resistance or opposition.

it was mitigating

Focuses on reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something.

FAQs

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

Use "it was easing" to describe a gradual reduction in intensity or severity. For example: "As the negotiations progressed, tensions "began to ease"."

What are some alternatives to "it was easing"?

You can use alternatives like "it was subsiding", "it was diminishing", or "it was lessening" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the pain was easing"?

Yes, "the pain was easing" is a correct and commonly used phrase to describe a gradual reduction in pain. Other similar phrases could be "the pain was subsiding" or "the pain was lessening".

What's the difference between "it was easing" and "it had eased"?

"It was easing" describes an ongoing process of reduction, while "it had eased" indicates that the reduction is complete at a specific point in the past. For instance, "The pressure was easing" means the pressure was in the process of decreasing. "The pressure had eased" means the pressure decreased before a subsequent event.