it was throwing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was throwing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that was happening in the past, often in a context where something was being thrown or a situation was being created. Example: "During the storm, it was throwing rain down on the streets, making it difficult to see."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

But earlier this month, after the Montgomery County Sierra Club announced it was throwing its support behind him, he talked about the "really strong reception" he has gotten from the party.

The Washington Post

Today, the Linux Foundation announced that it was throwing its hat into the car-apps ring, with the creation of the Automotive Grade Linux Workgroup.

TechCrunch

Last August Google's executive chairman, Eric Schmidt, publicly attacked the UK saying it was throwing away its "great computer heritage" by failing to teach programming in schools.

The Guardian

In its May 28th email that it was throwing in the towel, Imagine Air presented the image that it was going to wind things down in an orderly way.

Forbes

VICE's Pedro Garcia hung out with the group in Tenerife as it prepared for an intimate live show it was throwing for its die-hard fans.

Vice

People Express recently said it was throwing in the towel in its battle with Piedmont on some important routes, pulling out of Greensboro, N.C.; Columbia, S.C. and Dayton, Ohio.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

It was thrown together.

The New York Times

It was thrown out in the Senate.

The Economist

It was thrown out by the House of Lords.

The Economist

It was thrown in my face".

The New York Times

It was thrown together on a shoestring.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "hurling" or "casting" for a more vivid description depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "it was throwing" when a simple past tense verb would suffice. For example, instead of "It was throwing the game", consider "It lost the game".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was throwing" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a continuous action in the past. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe literal throwing actions, as well as metaphorical situations where something is being dispensed or created.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was throwing" is a grammatically sound and versatile verb phrase used to describe an ongoing action in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig, it appears frequently in diverse contexts, notably in News & Media. While "it was throwing" is generally considered grammatically correct, be mindful of tense consistency and consider synonyms to enhance the precision of your writing. Understanding its function and typical usage will enable you to effectively incorporate "it was throwing" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it hurled

Emphasizes a forceful or violent act of throwing.

it cast

Suggests a spreading or scattering action, like casting light or a spell.

it launched

Implies a deliberate action of sending something forward with force.

it flung

Indicates a quick, impulsive throwing action.

it was dispensing

Highlights the action of distributing something, often in a controlled manner.

it was creating

Focuses on the act of producing or bringing something into existence.

it was generating

Emphasizes the process of producing or causing something.

it was causing

Highlights the role of instigating or bringing about an effect.

it was presenting

Suggests offering something for consideration or attention.

it was providing

Focuses on supplying or making something available.

FAQs

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

Use "it was throwing" to describe an action happening continuously in the past. For example, "During the storm, "it was throwing" rain down on the streets".

What phrases are similar to "it was throwing"?

Alternatives include "it hurled", "it cast", or "it launched", which can add nuance depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "it was throwing" instead of "it threw"?

"It was throwing" implies an ongoing action in the past, while "it threw" describes a completed action. For example, "It was throwing a party" describes an event in progress, whereas "it threw a party" implies it already happened.

What is the difference between "it was throwing" and "it is throwing"?

"It was throwing" refers to a past action, while "it is throwing" refers to an action happening in the present. For instance, ""it was throwing" a wrench into the gears" describes a past disruption, whereas "it is throwing a wrench into the gears" describes a current disruption.