it was ending

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was ending" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or event that was coming to a conclusion in the past. Example: "As the sun set, I realized it was ending, and I felt a sense of nostalgia wash over me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

América Móvil, in a one-sentence statement, said it was ending its agreement with KPN.

The New York Times

That year, Halliburton also said that it was ending its business dealings in Iran.

The New York Times

One day earlier, General Motors's Buick unit officially announced it was ending its sponsorship agreement.

The New York Times

Last Friday, Cornell announced it was ending its agreement with Russell.

The New York Times

The GM Foundation soon announced it was ending its support of $15,000 a year.

The Guardian

Adidas announced late Friday it was ending its relationship with Arenas, whom it had sponsored since 2003.

The Washington Post

Last week the BoJ said it was ending its policy of "quantitative easing" (ie, printing tonnes of money).

The Economist

North Korea would receive deliveries of fuel oil in exchange for certain verifications that it was ending its program.

The New York Times

In a statement emailed to the Guardian, Coca-Cola confirmed it was ending its relationship with Alec.

The Guardian

the auto racing world today by announcing it was ending its multimillion‐dollar racing pro gram immediately.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

SFJ: It's ending.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the subtle differences in meaning between "it was ending" and its alternatives, such as "it was concluding" or "it was terminating", to choose the most appropriate word for the intended nuance.

Common error

Avoid using "it was ending" when a stronger or more specific verb is needed to convey the nature of the conclusion. For example, instead of "it was ending badly", consider "it was failing" or "it was collapsing" to provide a clearer picture of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was ending" functions as part of a verb phrase, specifically using the past continuous tense. This tense describes an action that was in progress in the past and approaching its conclusion. Ludwig AI provides several examples demonstrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

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 ending" is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to describe something that was in the process of concluding in the past. As evidenced by the numerous examples Ludwig AI provides, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. While straightforward, selecting the most appropriate synonym, like "it was concluding" or "it was terminating", can enhance the nuance of your writing. Be mindful of the specific context to ensure the phrase accurately conveys the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was ceasing

Replaces 'ending' with 'ceasing', emphasizing the cessation or stopping of something.

it was concluding

Substitutes 'ending' with 'concluding', highlighting the final stage or completion of an event or process.

it was terminating

Uses 'terminating' instead of 'ending', suggesting a more formal or abrupt finish.

it was finishing

Replaces 'ending' with 'finishing', indicating the completion of a task or activity.

it was expiring

Implies that something, like a contract or time period, was coming to its natural end.

it was drawing to a close

A more descriptive and figurative way of saying 'ending', suggesting a gradual completion.

it was coming to an end

Emphasizes the approach of the end, adding a sense of inevitability.

it was shutting down

Suggests the closing or cessation of operations, often used in a business context.

it was dissolving

Indicates a gradual fading away or breaking apart, often used for relationships or organizations.

it was lapsing

Implies that something was expiring due to neglect or lack of renewal.

FAQs

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

The phrase "it was ending" is used to describe something in the past that was in the process of coming to a conclusion. For example, "The concert was great, but unfortunately "it was ending" too soon."

What are some alternatives to "it was ending"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "it was concluding", "it was ceasing", or "it was terminating" as alternatives to "it was ending".

Is "it was ending" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was ending" is grammatically correct. It uses the past continuous tense, which describes an ongoing action in the past that was coming to a close.

What's the difference between "it was ending" and "it ended"?

"It was ending" describes an action that was in progress and coming to a close, while "it ended" describes a completed action. For example, "The movie "it was ending"" implies the movie was in its final moments. "The movie "it ended"" indicates the movie is completely over.