it was showing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it was showing' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing an event or situation in the past. For example, "We went to the movie theater and it was showing an old classic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"But it was showing its age at 20.

The New York Times - Sports

We first covered Webydo in April 2013, when it was showing off its wares in Startup Alley at Disrupt NY and opening up its closed beta to the US market.

TechCrunch

The spy show performed as well after "Lost" as it did in its Thursday time period, when it was showing new episodes.

The New York Times

Perhaps it was showing signs of age; maybe its focus had started to stray.

The New York Times - Sports

Nvidia had a strong showing overall at CES this year, but its most impressive demo had to be the self-driving vehicles it was showing off in a cordoned course built in a parking lot.

TechCrunch

I think it was showing headlines from 1956.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the TV wasn't tuned to ESPN -- it was showing CNBC.

The New York Times

One national network gleefully dropped what it was showing to carry the war of words live.

The New York Times

Gracie addressed envelopes in our garage and it was showing a profit in six months".

The New York Times

"It was showing how the economic system, the social system, destroyed the most intimate relationships.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It was shown at the N.Y.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was showing" to describe past events where something was being displayed or presented. For clarity, specify what "it" refers to.

Common error

Ensure the pronoun "it" has a clear and unambiguous antecedent. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating what is being shown if the context doesn't immediately make it clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was showing" functions as a verb phrase, specifically the past continuous tense of the verb 'show'. It describes an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig examples confirm its role in depicting ongoing displays or presentations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was showing" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to describe an ongoing action of displaying or presenting something in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used across different contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by making sure that the pronoun "it" has a clear antecedent and consider the context to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "it was displaying" or "it was presenting" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. By following these guidelines, you can use the phrase effectively and accurately in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was displaying

Replaces "showing" with a direct synonym emphasizing visibility.

it was presenting

Focuses on the act of formally offering something for viewing.

it was exhibiting

Suggests a more formal or curated display.

it was screening

Specifically refers to showing a film or video.

it was broadcasting

Implies transmission of content over a network.

it was featuring

Highlights the inclusion of something as a prominent element.

it was revealing

Emphasizes the act of making something visible that was previously hidden.

it was demonstrating

Highlights the act of showing how something works or its qualities.

it was indicating

Focuses on indirectly showing something, like a sign.

it was reflecting

Emphasizes showing as a consequence of reflecting something.

FAQs

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

Use "it was showing" to describe a past instance of something being displayed. For example, "I went to the museum and "it was showing" a new exhibit on ancient Egypt".

What are some alternatives to "it was showing"?

You can use alternatives like "it was displaying", "it was presenting", or "it was exhibiting" depending on the context.

Is "it showed" a suitable replacement for "it was showing"?

While "it showed" is grammatically correct, "it was showing" implies a continuous action in the past. Consider the context to determine which tense is more appropriate. For example, "the data showed a trend" versus "the graph was showing a trend over time."

What's the difference between "it was showing" and "it showed"?

"It was showing" describes an ongoing action in the past, while "it showed" describes a completed action or a general truth. For instance, "the movie theater was showing a classic film" (ongoing during a period) versus "the study showed a correlation" (a result). Consider "it was displaying" if the continuous tense is needed or "it displayed" for simple past.