it was initiating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was initiating" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when describing an action or process that was beginning or starting at a specific time in the past. Example: "During the meeting, it was initiating a discussion about the new project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Sopko's office, known by its acronym SIGAR, said it was initiating "a new series of lessons-learned reports" from the most expensive foreign reconstruction effort underwritten by the U.S. taxpayers.

Los Angeles Times

Moreover, the department said it was "initiating changes in its procurement process in light of the changing ownership of IT equipment providers".These actions are a response to claims by some American policymakers that Lenovo's Chinese ownership makes the firm's computers a security risk.

The Economist

On Monday, the umbrella entity for the group said it was initiating an inquiry into the activities of the Italian unit within the limitations imposed by the partnership.

The New York Times

Last year, Volkswagen informed regulators that it was initiating a 500,000-car recall in the United States that would fix the problem.

The Washington Post

After the November sales it announced it was initiating "Contemporary Art Now," an auction devoted to art from the last 20 years, purposely to keep up with Christie's, whose contemporary-art auctions cover 1970 to the present.

The New York Times - Arts

The news came shortly before the European Commission said it was initiating an antitrust investigation into whether agreements made between record companies and Apple restricted online music-sales through iTunes.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

It was initiated in 1977, expanded rapidly, and was initially targeted on sharks.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

It was initiated by Elder Thomas Sheardon who became its first pastor.

Cornell University

It was initiated by KL-based graphic designer Ezrena Marwan.

The Guardian

The designation was lifted 24 hours after it was initiated.

University of California, Berkeley

It was initiated by Yasir Arafat, and it was timed and orchestrated by Yasir Arafat".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was initiating", ensure the subject clearly refers to a specific entity or process that is beginning an action. This clarity helps to avoid ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "it was initiating" without a clearly defined 'it'. Ensure the subject is explicitly stated or easily inferred from the context to prevent confusion about what is starting the process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was initiating" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a past continuous construction. It describes an action that was in progress at a particular time in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically correct and suitable for written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was initiating" is a grammatically correct past continuous verb phrase used to describe the commencement of an action or process in the past. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for written English and finds application across diverse contexts such as news, science, and academic writing. Although not exceedingly common, its usage is frequent enough to be recognized and understood in both formal and informal settings. When using this phrase, clarity is crucial; ensure the subject is well-defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "it was starting" or "it began" can be employed to vary expression while maintaining semantic similarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it began to initiate

Focuses on the start of the initiating action, adding a layer of emphasis on the commencement.

it started initiating

Similar to the original, but replaces "was" with "started", emphasizing the beginning of the initiation.

it commenced initiating

Uses a more formal verb, "commenced", to replace "began", suggesting a more official or serious tone.

it set about initiating

Implies a deliberate and purposeful start to the initiating process.

it got the ball rolling on

An idiomatic expression indicating the beginning of an action or process, adding a touch of informality.

it undertook the initiation of

More formal and emphasizes the undertaking or responsibility of starting the action.

it triggered the start of

Highlights the triggering or causal aspect of starting the initiation, emphasizing cause and effect.

it put in motion the start of

Suggests that something was set in motion to allow the initiation to begin.

it ushered in the initiation of

Implies a ceremonial or formal start to the initiation process.

it jumpstarted the initiation of

Indicates a quick and energetic start to the initiation, adding a sense of immediacy.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was initiating" to describe the start of a process or action in the past. For example, "The company announced that "it was initiating" a new marketing campaign."

What are some alternatives to "it was initiating"?

Alternatives include "it was starting", "it commenced", or "it began", depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "it was initiating" and "it was initiated"?

Yes, ""it was initiating"" implies an ongoing process of beginning something, whereas "it was initiated" indicates that something has already been started.

When is it appropriate to use "it was initiating" in formal writing?

The phrase ""it was initiating"" is suitable for formal writing when describing a process that was in the early stages of development or implementation at a specific point in the past. Ensure the context provides a clear understanding of what 'it' refers to.