they were developing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were developing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing process or action that was taking place in the past. Example: "They were developing a new software application that aimed to improve user experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Instead of hibernating, they were developing.

The Economist

They were developing physical symptoms of stress.

The Washington Post

They were developing these new next-generation technologies.

Princeton University

The doctor worried that they were developing full-blown flu.

The New Yorker

For competitive reasons, all the companies declined to say which drugs they were developing.

The New York Times

They were looking for showrunners for a sketch-comedy project they were developing for Comedy Central.

The New Yorker

After a few days, F.B.I. officials felt that they were developing a good rapport with him.

The New Yorker

That meant biotechnology companies would not need government approval to sell the foods they were developing.

The New York Times

Now, I would start tracking what my kids were doing, and what skills they were developing.

The Washington Post

Yet even as we fretted, they were developing survival skills on their own.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Texaco was producing more than they were developing new fields," Mr. Varzi of Dresdner Kleinwort Benson said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the specific nuance you want to convey: "creating" emphasizes the act of bringing something into existence, while "working on" emphasizes effort.

Common error

Avoid using "they were developing" when the subject should be the recipient of the development. For example, instead of "they were developing by the company" use "the company was developing them."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were developing" 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 confirms its correct usage in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

29%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were developing" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe an ongoing action in the past. As Ludwig AI highlights, its usage is versatile, spanning across news, scientific, and academic contexts. The phrase is best used to indicate a process of creation, growth, or advancement that was in progress. Consider alternatives like "they were creating" or "they were working on" to tailor the nuance to your specific context. Avoid confusion with the passive voice to ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were creating

Focuses on the act of bringing something new into existence.

they were working on

Emphasizes the effort and process involved in a task or project.

they were building

Suggests a gradual and structured process of construction.

they were advancing

Highlights the progress and improvement being made.

they were evolving

Implies a gradual change and adaptation over time.

they were formulating

Focuses on the creation of a plan, strategy, or idea.

they were designing

Highlights the planning and conceptualization stage of a project.

they were originating

Emphasizes the beginning or initial stage of development.

they were pioneering

Suggests innovation and being the first to develop something.

they were growing

Highlights the incremental expansion of something.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "they were developing"?

You can use alternatives like "they were creating", "they were working on", or "they were building" depending on the specific context.

Is "they were developing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they were developing" is grammatically correct. It is the past continuous tense of the verb "develop", used to describe an ongoing action in the past.

How do I use "they were developing" in a sentence?

Use "they were developing" to describe a process that was in progress at a specific time in the past. For example, "The scientists said "they were developing" a new vaccine to combat the virus".

What is the difference between "they were developing" and "they developed"?

"They were developing" implies an ongoing action in the past, while "they developed" implies a completed action. For example, "They were developing the software last year" (process in progress), versus "They developed the software last year" (process completed).