it was propelling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was propelling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is causing movement or driving forward, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The innovative ideas presented at the conference were propelling the industry towards new heights."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I stopped to examine it more closely, treading water as I tried to understand how it was propelling itself.

The New Yorker

Then the sail came into focus: it was propelling a small three-wheeled craft sometimes known as a landsailer.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It was propelled vertically and horizontally by hand-cranked propellers.

Wikipedia

It was propelled by huge sales for the Suburban and Tahoe sport utility vehicles.

The New York Times

It was propelled by a liquid-fueled rocket engine to a maximum range of about 75 miles (120 km).

Encyclopedia Britannica

For underwater propulsion the Holland had an electric motor, and it was propelled on the surface by a gasoline engine.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When I first saw Florian Zeller's play a year ago, at Bath's innovative Ustinov Studio, I thought it was propelled by alarm, fear, be wilderment, loss.

The Guardian

Yet in 1983 it was propelled back into office with roughly the same percentage of the vote it had obtained in 1979.

The Guardian - Opinion

The viral family tree cannot pinpoint where the AIDS epidemic began or how it was propelled so rapidly through the world, the researchers said.

The New York Times

It is true that the wholesale markets played an important role in the build-up of this debt, but it was propelled by bad lending to individuals and developers from retail and commercial banks.

The Economist

The biggest problem the campaign now faces, like most of those promoted by a hashtag, is preventing it from slipping off the radar as rapidly as it was propelled to the top.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was propelling" to describe a clear cause-and-effect relationship where something is directly responsible for forward motion or progress.

Common error

Avoid using "it was propelling" when the cause-and-effect relationship is too abstract or unclear. Opt for more specific verbs to describe the influence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was propelling" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a past continuous tense. It indicates an action that was ongoing at a specific time in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was propelling" is a grammatically correct and usable verb phrase that describes an ongoing action in the past where something was causing movement or progress. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates that while correct, the phrase is relatively rare in overall usage. It is most commonly found in news, encyclopedias and wiki contexts, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal register. Consider using synonyms like "it was driving" or "it was powering" depending on the specific context to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was driving

Replaces "propelling" with a more common synonym, focusing on the action of moving something forward.

it was pushing

Similar to "driving", but implies a more direct and forceful action.

it was powering

Suggests a source of energy or force that is enabling movement.

it was fueling

Implies that something is providing the necessary resources for advancement.

it was motivating

Focuses on the cause of action or behavior.

it was encouraging

Suggests a positive influence that leads to progress.

it was advancing

Highlights the progress or forward movement being made.

it was stimulating

Implies the activation or encouragement of growth or activity.

it was triggering

Focuses on initiating or setting off a series of events.

it was sparking

Implies a sudden burst of energy or activity that leads to movement.

FAQs

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

Use "it was propelling" to describe how something was driving or forcing movement or progress. For example, "The engine "it was propelling" the car forward."

What can I say instead of "it was propelling"?

You can use alternatives like "it was driving", "it was pushing", or "it was powering", depending on the context.

Is "it was propelling" formal or informal?

"It was propelling" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but its usage often appears in news articles and encyclopedic content, suggesting a neutral register.

Which is more appropriate: "it was propelling" or "it propelled"?

The choice depends on the context. "It propelled" suggests a completed action in the past, while "it was propelling" implies a continuous or ongoing action in the past.