it was proceeding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was proceeding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action or event that was ongoing or in progress at a specific time in the past. Example: "The meeting was scheduled for 10 AM, but it was proceeding longer than expected due to the extensive discussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

The company said it was proceeding with its effort to spin off almost one-third of its 350 hospitals.

The New York Times

Irwin Schneiderman, chairman of City Opera, said it was proceeding with its application to be part of the ground zero plan, designed by the architect Daniel Libeskind, whose scheme provides for a performing arts center and a museum.

The New York Times - Arts

In the space of a week the White House rattled the Chinese on its Taiwan policy, announced it was proceeding with a missile shield that China believes is intended to contain its nuclear arsenal, and suggested that carefully nurtured contacts with China's Army would be cut off.

The New York Times

GDF – formerly Gaz de France – said at the time it was proceeding as usual with its plans to build a facility close to the Sellafield site in Cumbria.

The Guardian

The answer became clear last week when Reuters Group, the London-based media and financial services firm, said it was proceeding with an initial public offering for its Instinet subsidiary.

Forbes

The legal part of it was proceeding along fine.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The ice company was a domestic corporation, and it was proceeded against for having formed a combination to regulate and fix prices.

Cornell University

"It was proceeded with a leaflet drop to warn drivers out of their trucks as well as a show of force".

Vice

Similarly it was proceeded with the self-designed primers LINE1_CpG1-6 and LINE1_CpG7-14.

BioMed Research International

Coca-Cola, which is based in Atlanta, has said it is proceeding with its planned $470-million 470-million of No. 4 Dr Pepper Co. of Dacquisitionte FTC ofpositioNo.

Los Angeles Times

Shell said its decision is evidence of how carefully it is proceeding.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was proceeding" to describe an action or event that was ongoing at a specific time in the past. This phrase is suitable for formal writing and conveys a sense of steady progress.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses unexpectedly when using "it was proceeding". Ensure that the surrounding sentences maintain a consistent past tense to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was proceeding" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action or process that was in progress at a specific point in the past. It describes the state of something moving forward or developing, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was proceeding" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe an action or process underway in the past. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a range of contexts, from news reports to academic papers. While alternatives like "it was underway" or "it was in progress" exist, "it was proceeding" offers a precise way to convey the sense of ongoing development. As with any writing, pay attention to maintaining consistent tense and avoid unexpected shifts that could confuse your reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was underway

Focuses on the action already having commenced and progressing.

it was in progress

Emphasizes the state of being actively happening.

it was advancing

Suggests forward movement or development.

it was moving forward

Highlights the direction of progress.

it was developing

Implies gradual growth or evolution.

it was unfolding

Suggests a gradual revelation or unfolding of events.

it was continuing

Highlights the uninterrupted nature of the action.

it was taking place

Simply states that the event was occurring.

it was transpiring

Formal way of saying something was occurring.

it was evolving

Focuses on the process of gradual change and development.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was proceeding" to describe an action or event that was ongoing at a specific time in the past. For example, "The investigation "it was proceeding" smoothly until new evidence surfaced."

What are some alternatives to "it was proceeding"?

Some alternatives to "it was proceeding" include "it was underway", "it was in progress", or "it was advancing", depending on the specific context.

Is "it is proceeding" the same as "it was proceeding"?

No, "it is proceeding" indicates that something is currently in progress, while "it was proceeding" indicates that something was in progress at a specific time in the past. The tense changes the meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "it was proceeding" instead of "it continued"?

"It was proceeding" emphasizes the ongoing nature of an action at a specific point in the past, whereas "it continued" simply states that something carried on. Choose "it was proceeding" when you want to highlight the process or state of progress at a given time.