it was settling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was settling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or feeling that is becoming more stable or calm over time. Example: "After the initial chaos of the event, it was settling into a more organized routine."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

As the whole world now knows, last week, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced that it was settling its landmark securities fraud case against Goldman Sachs for some of the investment bank's shady securities practices.

Huffington Post

| Updated Penguin, trying to ensure a clean slate before its planned merger with Random House, announced on Tuesday that it was settling a lawsuit brought by the Justice Department over the pricing of e-books.

The New York Times

Penguin Settles E-Book Case Ahead of Merger  |  The Media Decoder blog reports: "Penguin, trying to ensure a clean slate before its planned merger with Random House, announced on Tuesday that it was settling a lawsuit brought by the Justice Department over the pricing of e-books".

The New York Times

"It was settling a score", said sources with knowledge of the investigation.

The Guardian

Watlow conceded no wrongdoing, saying it was settling to avoid costly litigation.

The New York Times

"There was a lot of rumbling in the coalition in the beginning but it was settling down now," she said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

It was settled in 1849 by seafaring men, and its first industry was shipbuilding.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But it was settled.

The New York Times

So it was settled.

The New Yorker

With that, it was settled.

The New York Times - Sports

Fortunately, it was settled.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was settling" to describe a situation, feeling, or process that is gradually becoming more stable, calm, or organized over time. It often implies a transition from a state of flux or uncertainty.

Common error

Avoid using "it was settling" when describing situations that require immediate action or resolution. This phrase is best suited for gradual processes, not urgent matters.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was settling" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It describes an ongoing action or process in the past. It describes a process of becoming more stable or calm over a period of time. As mentioned in the Ludwig AI, the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was settling" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a past process of stabilization or calming. The absence of examples suggests the phrase is uncommon. While grammatically correct, the phrase's limited usage data and lack of diverse contexts indicate a need for careful consideration when using it. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase does follow standard grammar rules.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was stabilizing

Focuses on the process of becoming steady or balanced.

it was calming down

Emphasizes the reduction of agitation or excitement.

it was becoming established

Highlights the process of being firmly set or rooted.

it was finding its feet

Suggests a process of adjustment and gaining confidence.

it was getting sorted out

Implies a process of organization and resolution.

it was evening out

Focuses on the process of becoming more uniform or balanced.

it was taking shape

Emphasizes the gradual formation of something.

it was solidifying

Suggests a process of becoming firm or strong.

it was becoming clearer

Highlights the process of becoming more understandable or distinct.

it was resolving itself

Implies a situation reaching a conclusion without external intervention.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was settling" to describe a situation that is becoming more stable. For example: "After the initial chaos, "it was settling" into a routine."

What are some alternatives to "it was settling"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "it was stabilizing", "it was calming down", or "it was becoming established" as alternatives to "it was settling".

Is "it was settling" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was settling" is grammatically correct. It uses the past continuous tense to describe an ongoing process of becoming more stable or calm.

What's the difference between "it was settling" and "it settled"?

"It was settling" implies an ongoing process, while "it settled" suggests a completed action. For example, "it was settling" suggests that the situation was in the process of becoming stable, whereas "it settled" means that it reached a stable state.