that was going

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was going" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or situation that was in progress in the past. Example: "I remember the party that was going on last summer; it was so much fun."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Architecturally, that was going to take imagination.

The New York Times

I had a business that was going.

The New Yorker

I didn't know that was going on.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Everyone knew everything that was going on.

The Guardian

"They started everything that was going on.

The New York Times - Sports

She explained everything that was going on.

The New Yorker

A lorry that was going quite slowly.

The Guardian - Film

"They knew everything that was going on in Kabul Bank.

The New York Times

Still, all that was going to be swept away".

The New Yorker

"She was hyperaware of everything that was going on.

The New York Times

It was something that was going to be big".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was going" to describe actions or events in progress in the past. For clarity, ensure the context provides sufficient information about the nature and duration of the action.

Common error

Avoid using "that was going" when referring to completed actions. Instead, use the simple past tense to indicate that an action is finished.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was going" functions as part of a verb phrase, indicating an action or event in progress in the past. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable form. It's used to describe continuous or ongoing situations, as shown in various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was going" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe ongoing actions or situations in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across diverse contexts, particularly in news and academic writing. While versatile, it's crucial to differentiate its meaning from similar phrases such as "that went", which describes completed actions. When using "that was going", make sure that you correctly reflect the continuous time frame of the action or event being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was happening

Focuses on the occurrence or unfolding of an event or situation.

that was taking place

Emphasizes the location or setting where the event occurred.

that was about to happen

Highlights the imminence or anticipation of an event.

that was in progress

Focuses on the ongoing nature of an action or activity.

that was underway

Similar to 'in progress' but often used for more formal or official events.

that was scheduled

Indicates a prearranged or planned event.

that was intended

Emphasizes the purpose or goal behind an action.

that was meant to be

Suggests a sense of inevitability or destiny.

that was developing

Highlights the gradual evolution or unfolding of a situation.

that was transpiring

A more formal way of saying 'that was happening', often used in serious contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "that was going" in a sentence?

You can use "that was going" to describe something in progress in the past, such as "I remember the event "that was going" on last year".

What are some alternatives to "that was going"?

Some alternatives include "that was happening", "that was taking place", or "that was underway" depending on the context.

Is "that was going to" grammatically correct?

Yes, "that was going to" is grammatically correct. It indicates an action that was planned or intended to happen in the future from a past perspective, as in "I knew "that was going to" be a problem".

What is the difference between "that was going" and "that went"?

"That was going" implies an ongoing process or action in the past, while "that went" suggests a completed action or a specific occurrence in the past. For example, ""that was going" well" describes a state of progress, while "that went wrong" describes a completed negative event.