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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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it was treating

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was treating" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to describe an ongoing action in the past, but it requires a different structure to be grammatically correct. Example: "It was treating the symptoms effectively."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

As a result, Northeast said in its statement, it had "notified Con Edison that it was treating its refusal to proceed" on the previously agreed terms "as a repudiation and breach of the merger agreement".

News & Media

The New York Times

NHS England said the ageing population and growing number of people with one or more long-term conditions was creating more demand for its services, and it was treating more people.

News & Media

The Guardian

Doctors Without Borders, which accepts patients from all warring sides but prohibits them from bringing weapons inside its facilities, said it was treating about 20 Taliban patients at the time of the attack.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Interpol has issued a missing persons alert to all 190 of its member countries and said it was treating all information on the case as "high priority".

News & Media

BBC

In its response to Mr. Schmidt, CBS said it was treating the material with the utmost caution.

News & Media

The New York Times

France said it was treating four veterans for leukemia.

News & Media

The New York Times

Chrish thought it was "treating the symptom not the disease.

Johns Hopkins Bayview medical center in Baltimore said it was treating four patients with gunshot wounds.

News & Media

The Guardian

The retailers raised concerns with the company over how it was treating couriers.

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center said it was treating six patients from the scene.

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"It was treated.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using a similar phrase, ensure that the verb tense and aspect accurately reflect the intended meaning. Using a continuous tense like "was treating" may be grammatically awkward; consider using "was addressing" or "handled" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using the continuous tense unnecessarily. While intending to describe an ongoing action in the past, phrases like "it was treating" often sound awkward. Opt for simpler past tense forms or more precise phrasings.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

3.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was treating" typically functions as part of a verb phrase, aiming to describe an ongoing action in the past. However, according to Ludwig, it is not grammatically correct in standard written English. The examples show its use in news and media, often describing how an entity handled a situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was treating" is commonly found, particularly in news and media contexts, and it aims to describe actions undertaken to address or handle a situation. However, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect in standard written English. The phrase’s communicative purpose is to show how a subject deals with specific situations over time. Given its questionable grammatical standing, it's advisable to use alternatives like "it addressed", "it handled", or "it managed" for greater clarity and grammatical correctness. Despite its prevalence, particularly in reporting, more precise phrasings enhance communication quality.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "it was treating"?

Consider using phrases like "it addressed", "it managed", or "it handled" depending on the context. These alternatives often provide a clearer and more grammatically sound way to express the intended meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "it was treating"?

While commonly found in news and media, "it was treating" is often considered grammatically incorrect in formal writing. It might be more appropriate in informal speech, but even then, consider alternatives for clarity.

How can I improve my sentence if I've used "it was treating"?

Review the sentence and determine the intended meaning. If you're describing a past action, "it addressed" or "it handled" may be better. If it's an ongoing action, rephrase to improve clarity.

Is "it was treating" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "it was treating" is not correct in standard written English. It suggests an ongoing action in the past but often requires a different structure to be grammatically correct. Consider alternatives for improved grammar and clarity.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: