it was planning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was planning" is not correct in standard written English.
It can be used in contexts where "it" refers to a subject that was engaged in the act of planning, but it typically requires additional context to clarify what "it" refers to. Example: "It was planning a surprise party for her birthday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

HP stopped selling its products to Dell last year when it learned it was planning to sell its own.

Forbes

It was planning to roll out its new S.U.V. series: Kyron and Actyon.

The New York Times

It added that it was planning to step up its efforts to curb the use of bitcoins to launder cash.

BBC

In Britain RBS confirmed rumors that it was planning a $23.8 billion rights issue to bolster its balance sheet.

Forbes

RBS confirmed rumors that it was planning a $23.8 billion rights issue to bolster its balance sheet.

Forbes

The company asked for its shares to be suspended last Wednesday and announced it was planning to call in administrators.

BBC

The authority did not say whether it was planning layoffs.

The New York Times

Zipcar's announcement comes nearly a year after speculation arose that it was planning to go public.

The New York Times

H.P. said in December that it was planning to open-source WebOS.

The New York Times

Friends Life said it was planning to offer partial withdrawals "in due course".

Independent

ON MARCH 16th, Ryanair announced to the world that it was planning to offer transatlantic flights.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was planning", ensure that the subject ('it') is clearly defined in the context to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The company was planning to launch a new product line" provides clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "it was planning" without a clear reference for 'it'. Ambiguous pronoun references can confuse readers. Instead of "It was planning to expand", specify: "The organization was planning to expand".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was planning" functions as a verbal phrase, specifically a past continuous tense. It indicates an action of planning that was in progress at some point in the past. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage in news articles and formal communications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was planning" is a common verbal phrase used to describe an ongoing action or intention in the past. Ludwig's AI reports that the phrase is grammatically correct. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with neutral formality. When using "it was planning", ensure that the subject ('it') is clearly defined and that its usage matches the intended meaning of a continuous past action. Consider alternatives like "it intended to" or "it aimed at" for slight variations in meaning. The examples sourced via Ludwig provide a clear understanding of how this phrase is applied in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it intended to

Uses a different verb (intended) to express a similar meaning of having an aim or purpose.

it aimed at

Focuses on the target or objective of the plan.

it set out to

Emphasizes the beginning of an action with a specific goal in mind.

it had designs on

Expresses intention in a more figurative way, implying ambition or a secret plan.

it purposed to

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying it intended to.

it projected

Expresses intention based on data or forecasting.

it contemplated

Suggests a more thoughtful consideration of a plan, rather than a firm intention.

it scheduled to

Refers specifically to the arrangement of an event on a timetable.

it envisioned

Implies a mental image of the future, with less emphasis on the concrete steps.

it foresaw

Focuses on anticipating future events or needs.

FAQs

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

Use "it was planning" when you want to describe a past intention or arrangement that a specific entity ('it') had. For example, "The city council was planning to renovate the park".

What are some alternatives to "it was planning"?

You can use alternatives like "it intended to", "it aimed at", or "it set out to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it was planning" formal or informal?

"It was planning" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives might be preferable in academic or highly professional settings.

What's the difference between "it was planning" and "it planned"?

"It was planning" implies a continuous action in the past, suggesting the planning process was ongoing. "It planned" indicates a completed action of planning; for example, compare "It was planning the event" with "It planned the event last year".