it was screening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was screening" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are referring to a process of showing a film, a test, or an evaluation that was taking place in the past. Example: "Last night, it was screening a documentary about climate change at the local theater."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I could have gone and seen it at any time its opening weekend -- it was screening less than two miles away from my apartment -- but I didn't.

Huffington Post

The company said it was a strong supporter of marriage equality and it was screening a series of celebrity-backed ads calling for marriage equality.

The Guardian

Where do they find the energy?" Perhaps the most up close and personal I ever got with a club was Ministry of Sound in south London – which I visited, in the middle of a boring working day, because it was screening Robert Rodriguez's From Dusk Till Dawn.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It was screened at Cannes in May.

The New York Times

It was screened in Cannes last year, to positive reviews.

The Guardian - Film

It was screened at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival.

The New York Times - Style

It was screened after lunch in the hot Salle Bazin.

The Guardian - Film

(I wrote about it in the magazine when it was screened a couple of years ago).

The New Yorker

"Whenever it was screened, people always asked: 'Where can we see it?

The New York Times - Arts

But the director was present only when it was screened for Mr. McCartney.

The New York Times

It was screened at the Sundance Film Festival in 1997 and was later shown on HBO.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was screening" when you want to emphasize that a film, advertisement, or show was actively being shown or presented at a particular time in the past. For example: "It was screening at the local cinema last weekend."

Common error

Avoid using "it was screening" when you mean simply "it was shown" if the emphasis isn't on the ongoing process of presentation. For example, use "it was shown last night" rather than "it was screening last night" if you're only noting that it took place, not that it was in the process of being presented.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was screening" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. This tense indicates an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was screening" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an event in progress in the past, typically referring to a film, advertisement, or show. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not overly common, its use is concentrated in news and media contexts. Remember to use it when the emphasis is on the ongoing presentation rather than a simple past occurrence. Alternatives include "it was being shown" or "it was playing", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was being shown

Rephrases the sentence in passive voice, emphasizing the action being done to the subject.

it was playing

Emphasizes the presentation or running of a film or video.

it was being presented

Focuses on the act of formally showing or introducing something.

it was on display

Highlights the fact that something was available for viewing.

it was on air

Specifically refers to broadcast media being transmitted.

it was broadcast

A more formal way of saying "it was on air", implying wide distribution.

it was featured

Highlights the act of giving prominence or attention to something by showing it.

it was viewable

Emphasizes that something could be seen or accessed.

it was projected

Specifically refers to the act of casting an image onto a screen.

it was unveiled

Focuses on the initial showing or revealing of something new.

FAQs

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

Use "it was screening" to describe a film, advertisement, or show that was actively being shown or presented at a particular time. For example: "It was screening at the film festival last night".

What are some alternatives to "it was screening"?

You can use alternatives like "it was being shown", "it was playing", or "it was on display" depending on the context.

Is "it was screening" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was screening" is grammatically correct. It's the past continuous tense of the verb "to screen", indicating an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past.

What's the difference between "it was screened" and "it was screening"?

"It was screened" implies the action of showing something happened at a specific point in the past. In contrast, "it was screening" suggests the action of showing was in progress over a period of time in the past.