it was receiving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was receiving" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an ongoing action in the past where something was in the process of receiving something, such as data, signals, or messages. Example: "During the storm, the satellite was receiving signals from the ground station, but they were weak and intermittent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The court agreed that the company's failure to tell its client that it was receiving a large commission for the sale was unfair.

BBC

As the blackout that began late Friday stretched into its third day, rival TV provider Verizon FiOS said it was receiving requests for service from Time Warner Cable customers who couldn't watch CBS.

Huffington Post

Within a day, its host, Moveon.org, a liberal advocacy group, told her that it was receiving 5,000 signatures an hour.

The New York Times

First, it was receiving money to repair equipment under contracts with the Defense Department.

The New York Times

Still, Ms. Horn's campaign did not realize just how big a boost it was receiving.

The New York Times

Applied Extrusion said last month that it was receiving unsolicited expressions of interest in the company.

The New York Times

"It was just as therapeutic giving facials as it was receiving facials," Ms. Brown said.

The New York Times

Second, it was receiving free equipment by taking over weapons that had been de clared irreparable by the United States.

The New York Times

Iran has previously linked Jundallah to al-Qaida and claimed it was receiving American backing, something the US denies.

The Guardian

Sonnen said it was receiving a surge of customer enquiries, and predicted the UK market would take off this year.

The Guardian - Business

But we found that it was receiving help that sustained the cascade as it spread through the group.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add precision, specify what exactly "it" was receiving. Instead of a general statement, mention data, signals, funding or criticism, depending on context.

Common error

Avoid using "it was receiving" in situations where a more active voice would be clearer and more direct. For instance, instead of "The company was receiving complaints", consider "Customers were complaining to the company".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was receiving" functions as a verbal phrase expressing an ongoing action in the past. It indicates that something was in the process of getting or experiencing something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was receiving" is a grammatically sound and versatile construction used to describe an ongoing process of acquisition in the past. As Ludwig AI points out, it's frequently found in news and media, but also appears in scientific and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the subject is capable of receiving and that the context makes clear what is being received. While correct and common, writers should also consider whether a more active voice would provide greater clarity and impact. To diversify your writing, alternatives like "it was being given" or "it was acquiring" can be employed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was being given

Focuses on the act of giving rather than receiving.

it was being sent

Highlights the act of transmission towards the subject.

it was collecting

Emphasizes the accumulation of something over time.

it was acquiring

Suggests a gradual process of gaining possession.

it was obtaining

Highlights the achievement of getting something.

it was experiencing

Shifts the focus to the subjective feeling or sensation.

it was undergoing

Focuses on a process that the subject is enduring.

it was subject to

Indicates that the subject is affected by something.

it was exposed to

Highlights the subject's vulnerability to an external factor.

it was taking in

Emphasizes the absorption or assimilation of something.

FAQs

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

Use "it was receiving" to describe something that was in the process of getting or being given something. For instance, "The radio "it was receiving" a strong signal from the transmitter".

What are some alternatives to "it was receiving"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "it was being given", "it was acquiring", or "it was obtaining", depending on the context.

Is "it was receiving" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was receiving" is grammatically correct. It uses the past continuous tense to indicate an ongoing action of receiving in the past.

What is the difference between "it was receiving" and "it received"?

"It was receiving" implies an ongoing process in the past, while "it received" indicates a completed action. For example, "The package "it received" yesterday" (completed action) versus "The package "it was receiving" damage during transit" (ongoing action).