it was underway

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was underway" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has started or is in progress. Example: "The project was initially delayed, but now it was underway and on track for completion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

I glanced at him as it was underway, and he was doubled over with laughter.

The New Yorker

Mr. Vlasto said that people submitted more than 500 questions for the session, both beforehand and while it was underway.

The New York Times

Drag the slider back and forth to view satellite imagery from June 28, before the conflict started; and July 30, after it was underway.

The New York Times

The Randomised Badger Culling Trial (RBCT) demonstrated that, while it was underway, proactive badger (Meles meles) culling reduced bovine tuberculosis (TB) incidence inside culled areas but increased incidence in neighboring areas, suggesting that the costs of such culling might outweigh the benefits.

International Journal of Infectious Diseases

Governor Chris Christie was told about the epic 2013 traffic jam at the George Washington bridge while it was underway, seemed happy about it and joked sarcastically that there was nothing political going on, a former loyalist testified Tuesday in the scandal that helped destroy Christie's White House ambitions.

The Guardian

Said argues that the discourse of Orientalism laid the foundation for the colonial project and supported it once it was underway (210).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

And now that it is underway, the party is looking for ways to distance its Senate candidates from the ensuing mess.

The Washington Post

"It is underway," he said.

The Guardian

4. Measures must be put in place to prevent the financial markets scuppering the project before it is underway.

The Guardian - Opinion

Cybertechnology might, for example, enable an attack by delaying enemy recognition of it until it is underway.

The Washington Post

Are bike lanes really a part of the process of neighborhood change, or a sign when it's underway?

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was underway" to clearly indicate that a process, project, or event has already commenced. It is particularly useful when emphasizing that actions are actively happening.

Common error

Ensure that the tense used with "it was underway" aligns with the rest of the sentence and paragraph. Avoid shifting to present tense without a clear reason, as this can create confusion for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was underway" functions as a predicative expression, indicating that a particular action, event, or process had already begun and was in progress at a specific point in the past. Ludwig examples show a wide range of usages.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was underway" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something had already begun and was in progress. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It is applicable across various contexts, especially in news, science, and academic writing. While alternatives like "it was in progress" or "it had begun" exist, "it was underway" effectively communicates the ongoing nature of an event at a specific time in the past. Remember to maintain tense consistency and choose the phrase that best fits the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was in progress

Replaces "underway" with "in progress", a more common and slightly less formal alternative.

it had begun

Focuses on the starting point of the action, rather than its continuation.

it was happening

A more general term, simply stating that the event was taking place.

it was proceeding

Emphasizes the forward movement of the action.

it was in motion

Highlights the dynamic aspect of the event, suggesting movement or activity.

it was operating

Suggests a functional process was active.

it was rolling

Informal, implies smooth or continuous progress.

it was unfolding

Suggests a gradual revealing or development.

it was activated

Implies something was intentionally started or set in motion.

it was being executed

Focuses on the act of carrying out a plan or task.

FAQs

What does "it was underway" mean?

The phrase "it was underway" means that something had already started and was in progress. It signifies that an action, event, or process was active and ongoing.

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

You can use "it was underway" to indicate that a process or event had commenced. For example: "By the time we arrived, the conference "it was underway"."

What are some alternatives to "it was underway"?

Some alternatives to "it was underway" include "it was in progress", "it had begun", or "it was happening". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "it was underway" and "it is underway"?

Yes, "it was underway" indicates that something was in progress at a specific time in the past, while "it is underway" indicates that something is currently in progress. The difference lies in the tense used, with "was" referring to the past and "is" referring to the present.