it was working

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was working" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a past situation or event in which something was being used or done correctly. For example: "I turned on the computer, and it was working perfectly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But it was working".

The New Yorker

It was working well".

The New York Times

And it was working.

The New York Times

It was working!

The New York Times

It was working, the agency was growing.

The New York Times

She said it was working.

The New York Times

"It didn't look like it was working.

The New York Times

"That's how you knew it was working".

The New Yorker

And there were signs it was working.

The New York Times

It was working very well living together.

The Guardian - Books

On Monday, it was working fine.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a past effort that yielded positive results, use "it was working" to confirm the efficacy of the methods used. For example, "The experimental treatment showed early promise, and eventually, "it was working" perfectly".

Common error

Avoid using "it was working" when you intend to say that something started working in the past and continues to work now. Use "it has been working" instead. For example, say "The software has been working well since the last update", not "The software "it was working" well since the last update".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was working" functions as a declarative statement describing the past state of an entity or process, asserting that it was in a functional or effective condition. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was working" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe past functionality or effectiveness. As validated by Ludwig AI, its usage spans a broad range of contexts, predominantly within news and media. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the past state and doesn't mistakenly imply continued functionality, and avoid confusing it with "it has been working". Consider alternatives like "it functioned correctly" for nuanced emphasis. By following these guidelines, you can confidently and correctly incorporate "it was working" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it functioned correctly

Emphasizes the correct operation of something.

it operated effectively

Highlights the effectiveness of the operation.

it was effective

Focuses directly on the effectiveness.

it proved successful

Indicates that something achieved a positive outcome.

it was in operation

Highlights the state of being operational.

it ran smoothly

Indicates a lack of problems in its operation.

it yielded results

Focuses on the outcomes produced.

it produced outcomes

Highlights the production of specific results.

it served its purpose

Emphasizes the fulfillment of an intended function.

it achieved the objective

Focuses on the accomplishment of a specific goal.

FAQs

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

Use "it was working" to describe a past situation where something was functioning correctly or effectively. For example, "Initially, I had doubts, but "it was working" better than expected."

What are some alternatives to "it was working"?

You can use alternatives like "it functioned correctly", "it operated effectively", or "it was effective" depending on the specific context.

Is "it was working" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was working" is grammatically correct. It uses the past continuous tense to describe an ongoing action or state in the past.

What's the difference between "it was working" and "it has been working"?

"It was working" refers to a situation in the past that may or may not continue, while "it has been working" indicates that something started working in the past and is still working now. For example, "It has been working fine since the upgrade".