she was running

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was running" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that was happening in the past, often in a narrative context. Example: "As the sun began to set, she was running through the park, enjoying the cool evening breeze."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"She was running well.

The Telegraph

She was running a bar in Edinburgh.

Independent

I think she was running on empty".

The New York Times - Sports

She was running her first Boston Marathon.

The New York Times - Sports

She was running through town.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She was running when it happened".

The New York Times - Sports

She was running the stand that morning.

The New Yorker

She was running metronomically, well within herself.

The Guardian - Sport

But she was running into obstacles.

The New York Times

Last year she was running 2 01.

The Guardian - Sport

She was running fast, then faster, then too fast.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she was running" to describe an ongoing action in the past. It's useful for setting scenes and providing context in narratives.

Common error

Avoid using "she was run" instead of "she was running". The former is grammatically incorrect in this context; "running" is the correct present participle.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was running" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It describes an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig examples show a variety of contexts where this construction is appropriate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "she was running" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an action in progress in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. It's frequently found in narrative contexts across various reliable sources, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "she ran" or ""she sprinted"" exist, "she was running" emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action. When using "she was running", ensure you maintain the correct past continuous tense. Remember that the phrase is versatile and appropriate for both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she ran

Changes the tense to simple past, focusing on the completed action rather than the ongoing process.

she is running

Shifts the tense to present continuous, indicating an action happening now.

she jogged

Replaces "running" with a more leisurely form of running.

she sprinted

Replaces "running" with a faster, more intense form of running.

she was jogging

Substitutes "running" with "jogging", implying a slower pace.

she was sprinting

Replaces "running" with "sprinting", indicating a burst of speed.

she took a run

Expresses the action as an instance of taking a run, changing the grammatical structure.

she moved quickly

Replaces "running" with a broader term for fast movement, losing the specificity of running.

she advanced rapidly

Indicates quick forward movement, but can be used in contexts beyond physical running.

she hastened

Implies a sense of urgency or speed in movement, but not necessarily running.

FAQs

How can I use "she was running" in a sentence?

The phrase "she was running" describes an action in progress in the past. For example: "As the rain started, she was running towards the shelter."

What are some alternatives to "she was running"?

Depending on the context, you could use "she jogged", "she sprinted", or "she was sprinting".

Is "she was running" grammatically correct?

Yes, "she was running" is grammatically correct. It uses the past continuous tense to describe an action that was happening over a period of time in the past.

What's the difference between "she was running" and "she ran"?

"She was running" describes an ongoing action in the past, while "she ran" describes a completed action in the past. For example, "She was running when she tripped" (ongoing action interrupted) versus "She ran the marathon" (completed action).