it was getting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was getting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a gradual change or progression in a situation or condition over time. Example: "As the sun began to set, it was getting darker outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"It was getting crazy.

The New York Times

It was getting harder.

The New Yorker

"It was getting ridiculous".

The New York Times - Tech

It was getting busy.

The New York Times

It was getting late.

The New York Times

It was getting chilly.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

It was "Get Under Way".

The New Yorker

It's getting big.

The New York Times - Sports

It's getting worse".

The New York Times

It's getting late.

The New York Times - Arts

It is getting worse.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was getting" to describe a gradual change or a state that is in progress. For example, "The room was getting colder as the night went on."

Common error

Avoid using the past perfect continuous (e.g., "it had been getting") when the simple past continuous ("it was getting") sufficiently conveys the ongoing nature of the change. Overusing the past perfect continuous can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was getting" functions as a verb phrase describing a state of change or progression. It combines the past continuous form of the verb 'to get' to indicate an ongoing process. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was getting" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe a state of change or gradual progression. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and can be found in a wide range of contexts, from news articles to academic papers. The analysis reveals that this phrase is most frequently used in News & Media, Academia, and Science. For situations where more emphasis on the completed action is needed rather than the continuous one, alternatives like "it became" or "it started to get" may be suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it became

Replaces the continuous tense with a simple past tense, focusing on the completed change rather than the process.

it started to get

Emphasizes the initiation of the change, highlighting the beginning of the process.

it began to get

Similar to 'it started to get', but can suggest a more gradual or subtle commencement.

it was turning

Implies a transformation or shift towards a particular state.

it had begun to get

Uses the past perfect to indicate that the process of change started before a certain point in the past.

it grew

Suggests a gradual increase or development, often used for physical attributes or abstract qualities.

it evolved into

Implies a more significant and complex transformation over time.

it progressed to

Highlights the advancement or movement towards a more advanced state.

it was on the verge of becoming

Indicates an impending transformation or near change.

it verged on

Suggests something was approaching a certain state, often negative, without quite reaching it.

FAQs

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

The phrase "it was getting" is used to describe a gradual change or progression. For example, "it was getting dark" or "it was getting late".

What are some alternatives to "it was getting"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "it became", "it started to get", or "it was turning".

Is it ever incorrect to use "it was getting"?

While grammatically correct, "it was getting" might not be the most precise choice if you want to emphasize a sudden change rather than a gradual one. In such cases, a phrase like "it became" would be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "it was getting" and "it got"?

"It was getting" describes a process or a state of change, while "it got" describes a completed change. For example, "it was getting colder" implies a gradual decrease in temperature, whereas "it got cold" indicates that the temperature reached a cold state.