it was undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was undertaking" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey that something was in the process of being undertaken, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The project was undertaking significant changes to improve efficiency."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

This summer, BlackBerry announced that it was undertaking its second strategic review in less than a year.

The New York Times - Tech

BEIRUT, Lebanon —The United States indicated on Wednesday that it was undertaking its most aggressive attempt yet to reshape the Syrian opposition, with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton dismissing the current leadership as a bunch of out-of-touch exiles who should be replaced with a group more representative of the fighters on the ground.

The New York Times

Last year, American intelligence revealed that although North Korea had kept its Yongbyon plant frozen, it was undertaking a separate clandestine nuclear program using highly enriched uranium.

The New York Times

Of particular importance in this development was the need to ensure internal consistency in what ADRC said it was undertaking (description of its action) and what ADRC actually did (the action it undertook) as postulated by McLeod (1987).

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

The offer, which is thought to be at a very early stage, is understood to have been partly responsible for Friday's announcement by Emap that it was undertaking a review of its business.

The Guardian - Business

The group - which owns consumer magazines such as Grazia, radio stations Magic and Kiss, and trade magazines including Retail Week - said it was undertaking a review of its group structure and portfolio of assets "in response to various unsolicited proposals it has received recently for parts of the group".

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

It was undertaken last Oct. & lasted about a fortnight.

The New Yorker

It was undertaken by Frank J. Macchiarola, the schools chancellor in the early 1980's.

The New York Times

It was undertaken a median of six times.

Cardiovascular Diabetology

It was undertaken at eight hospitals in England.

BMC Pediatrics

It was undertaken by the University of Huddersfield and Action for Children, with partial funding from the UK Department for International Development.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While the phrase "it was undertaking" is commonly found, consider more direct and clearer alternatives like "it was conducting", "it was initiating" or "it was carrying out" for improved clarity and conciseness.

Common error

Avoid using "it was undertaking" in formal writing, as it can sound passive and somewhat unclear. Choose more active and precise verbs to describe the action being taken.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was undertaking" functions as a verb phrase indicating that a subject was in the process of starting or engaging in a task, project, or activity. Although common, Ludwig AI suggests it can be awkward. Examples from Ludwig show it being used in various contexts, from strategic reviews to emergency operations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it was undertaking" is frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, it is considered grammatically questionable by Ludwig AI. It serves to indicate that someone or something was in the process of engaging in an action or project. For improved clarity and impact, especially in formal writing, consider substituting it with more active and precise alternatives such as "it was conducting", "it was initiating", or "it was carrying out". Though common, aiming for clearer alternatives could enhance precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was commencing

This alternative suggests a formal start or beginning of something.

it was initiating

This alternative implies the start of a process or project.

it was embarking on

This suggests a beginning of a journey or an adventurous project.

it was launching

Implies formally setting something in motion.

it was initiating

This suggests the act of beginning something.

it was conducting

Implies carrying out a task or activity methodically.

it was performing

Suggests the execution of a specific action or task.

it was prosecuting

Implies being engaged in a process that is being dealt with, usually within a court

it was pursuing

This suggests following a plan or objective.

it was prosecuting

This suggests a process of being investigated or being engaged in proceedings to do with courts

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was undertaking" for better clarity?

Consider using alternatives such as "it was conducting", "it was initiating", or "it was carrying out" to make your sentence clearer and more direct. The best choice depends on the specific context of your sentence.

What's a more formal synonym for "it was undertaking"?

Formal alternatives include "it was commencing", "it was initiating", or "it was embarking on". These options add a level of sophistication to your writing, especially in professional or academic contexts.

Is "it was undertaking" grammatically incorrect?

While commonly used, "it was undertaking" isn't the most grammatically precise construction. Ludwig AI suggests that it can sound awkward and recommends clearer alternatives, such as "it was conducting" or "it was carrying out".

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

Though prevalent, aiming for clearer alternatives such as "it was initiating" or "it was performing" could enhance precision. However, it remains acceptable in general contexts.