it was remaining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was remaining" is not correct in standard written English.
It is generally not used because "remaining" is typically used in the present participle form or as an adjective, rather than in the past tense with "was." Example: "After the storm, only a few items were remaining on the shelves."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Dickey tried to make sure the crowd's energy did not accelerate his pace, but he feasted off the competitive environment — whether it was remaining resilient on the mound or sliding into home.

The New York Times - Sports

But the firm claimed it was remaining conservative.

BBC

It was remaining controversial whether the serum levels of OPG and OPG/RANKL reflected what was happening in bone and joints in patients.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Exactly whose mistake it was remained a matter of debate.

The New York Times

What's remarkable to me is that whatever it was remained accessible to him.

The New Yorker

It was remained unclear whether he would continue his work in the government.

The New York Times

Wink's plan will be to consolidate it's remaining cash and focus on its people search engine, launched last fall.

TechCrunch

It's remaining copies may be faded but its principles shine brighter than ever".

The Guardian

This policy is supported by Universities Scotland, although it is remaining neutral in the independence debate.

The Guardian

Hence, it is remaining a challenging work for accurate timing in receivers.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

In the meantime, it's remaining in private beta and staying local before expanding to other markets.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "it was remaining", opt for the more grammatically sound "it remained" to denote a state of continuation or persistence.

Common error

Avoid using "it was remaining" as it incorrectly combines the past tense with a present participle in a way that is not standard English. Choose a more appropriate tense and verb form, such as "it remained."

Linguistic Context

The phrase is an attempt to describe a state of continuation in the past. However, it uses a non-standard grammatical structure. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not correct in standard written English. The correct form would typically be "it remained".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was remaining" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. The more appropriate and widely accepted alternative is "it remained". While the phrase may occasionally appear in writing, particularly in news and scientific contexts, it's best to avoid it in favor of the grammatically correct alternative to ensure clarity and adherence to standard English usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it remained

This is the closest and most grammatically correct alternative, focusing on the continuation of a state or condition.

it continued to be

This alternative emphasizes the ongoing nature of the state or condition.

it stayed

A simpler alternative highlighting the lack of change in position or condition.

it persisted in being

This option stresses the enduring nature of the state, even against some resistance.

it kept being

An informal way to express the continuous state of something.

it carried on being

Suggests a continuation despite potential obstacles or changes.

it held its position

This emphasizes the stability and maintenance of a specific state.

it endured as

Highlights the long-lasting and resilient quality of something.

it maintained its state

Focuses on the preservation of a particular condition or form.

it was sustained

Implies that external factors contributed to the continuation of the state.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "remain" in the past tense?

The correct past tense form of "remain" is "remained". For example, "it remained" is the correct way to express that something continued in a particular state.

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

You can use alternatives like "it remained", "it continued to be", or "it stayed" depending on the specific context.

Is "it was remaining" grammatically correct?

No, "it was remaining" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "it remained".

What's the difference between "it was remaining" and "it remained"?

"It was remaining" is not standard English. "It remained" is the correct past tense form indicating that something continued in a specific state or condition.