it was undergoing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was undergoing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a process or change that was happening at a specific time in the past. Example: "The project was delayed because it was undergoing significant revisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Hired two months before the 2010 festival, Ms. Kuo joined an organization that was reeling from some of the decisions (including staff reductions) made by its previous director, Mara Manus, even as it was undergoing a milestone expansion with its $41 million Munroe center.

The New York Times

Word, though, was that it was undergoing some massive changes from its iconic look, and some fan photos taken from the film's set bear out that speculation.

Huffington Post

On Friday, the company said it was undergoing two accounting inquiries, one by KPMG, its internal auditor, and another by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The New York Times

It was undergoing tests in the Sea of Japan at the time of the accident.

The New York Times

Undeterred, Figgis asked Moss if he could film in the house while it was undergoing refurbishment.

The Guardian - Film

The WallyPower was covered by an enormous plastic tarp while it was undergoing the renovations.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Now it is undergoing reconstruction, its rotting beams replaced and huge blades rebuilt, as the campus takes shape around it.

The New York Times

It is undergoing a restructuring of its own and faces a difficult choice on Alitalia.

The New York Times

For causes not clearly understood, it is undergoing significant declines across its whole geographic range.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

It is undergoing a $1.2 billion makeover in preparation for its 100th birthday.

The New York Times

"It's undergoing further development".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was undergoing", ensure that the subject and the process it is undergoing are clearly defined to maintain clarity. For example, "The building was undergoing renovations" is clearer than "It was undergoing renovations."

Common error

Avoid using "it was undergoing" when the referent for "it" is ambiguous. Always ensure the reader knows exactly what "it" refers to in the sentence.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the phrase "it was undergoing" is to act as a verb phrase indicating a process or change that a subject was experiencing in the past. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, where the phrase is used to describe things like renovations, tests, or reviews.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

16%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was undergoing" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe a subject experiencing a process or change in the past. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly found in news, science, and wiki contexts. While the phrase maintains a neutral tone, it's crucial to ensure the subject is clearly defined to prevent ambiguity. Related phrases like "it was experiencing" and "it was going through" provide alternative ways to convey similar meanings, allowing for stylistic variation. When writing, ensure to avoid unclear references for "it" to maximize clarity. Overall, understanding these nuances will help in using "it was undergoing" effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was experiencing

Replaces "undergoing" with "experiencing", emphasizing the subject's encounter with a situation or process.

it was going through

Substitutes "undergoing" with "going through", highlighting the process-oriented nature of the experience.

it was in the process of

Replaces "undergoing" with "in the process of", focusing on the stage or phase the subject was at.

it was being subjected to

Changes "undergoing" to "being subjected to", emphasizing that the subject is receiving the action.

it was facing

Alters "undergoing" to "facing", suggesting the subject is confronting a challenge or situation.

it was in the midst of

Changes "undergoing" to "in the midst of", highlighting the subject being actively involved in the process.

it was subject to

Changes "undergoing" to "subject to", focusing on the control of a process to the subject.

it was being exposed to

Alters "undergoing" to "being exposed to", indicating that the subject is being affected.

it was the recipient of

Changes "undergoing" to "the recipient of", making the subject a receiver.

it was a party to

Alters "undergoing" to "a party to", emphasizing that the subject is part of it.

FAQs

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

Use "it was undergoing" to describe a process or change that was happening to something at a specific time in the past. For example, "The house "it was undergoing" renovation when we bought it."

What can I say instead of "it was undergoing"?

You can use alternatives like "it was experiencing", "it was going through", or "it was in the process of" depending on the context.

Is "it was undergoing" formal or informal?

"It was undergoing" is generally considered neutral to formal and can be used in various contexts, including news, business, and academic writing. More formal alternatives exist, but this phrase is widely acceptable.

What's the difference between "it was undergoing" and "it underwent"?

"It was undergoing" describes a process in progress at a specific time in the past, while "it underwent" describes a completed process. For example, "It was undergoing repairs last week" implies the repairs were happening then. "It underwent repairs last year" means the repairs are now finished.