they were receiving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were receiving" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action in the past where someone was in the process of getting something, such as information or a service. Example: "During the meeting, they were receiving updates from the project manager about the progress of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were receiving help from the Red Cross last night.

The New York Times

The scores they were receiving were off the charts.

The Guardian - Tech

Plus, they weren't buying food in the market when they were receiving food.

Cornell University

However, this was only true when the recipient remained unaware that they were receiving support.

University of California, Berkeley

They were receiving methadone treatment for the heroin addiction but were still using cocaine regularly.

The New York Times - Health

More than half said they were receiving or had received unemployment benefits.

The New York Times

She said they were receiving therapy and saw each other weekly.

The New York Times

Even the winners looked shaken, despite all the positive feedback they were receiving from their supporters.

The New York Times - Sports

"They were receiving threats from Iraq while they were in Syria".

The New York Times - Arts

I really worried about their mental health while they were receiving these messages," she said.

The Guardian - Tech

City health officials said they were receiving more reports of bisexual behavior among men.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were receiving" to clearly indicate an ongoing process of obtaining something in the past. Ensure the context makes it clear what "they" refers to and what was being received.

Common error

Avoid using "they were receiving" when a simple past tense like "they received" is more appropriate. Use the past continuous form only when emphasizing the duration or ongoing nature of the receiving action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were receiving" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It indicates an action of receiving that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI shows examples of its use in various contexts to describe the ongoing nature of receiving something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were receiving" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe an ongoing action of receiving in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts, primarily in news, scientific, and academic writing. While alternatives like "they were getting" exist, "they were receiving" offers a clear and versatile way to convey that a group was in the process of obtaining something. When using the phrase, ensure it's used when the duration of the receiving action needs to be emphasized. The most frequent sources are The New York Times, The Guardian, TechCrunch, BBC and Vice. According to Ludwig AI this phrase is appropriate and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were getting

Focuses on the act of obtaining something, similar to receiving but slightly more informal.

they were being given

Shifts the focus to the giver, emphasizing that something was provided to them.

they were obtaining

Implies a more formal or deliberate act of acquiring something.

they were granted

Suggests a formal or official act of bestowing something.

they were supplied with

Emphasizes the provision of resources or necessities.

they were awarded

Implies recognition or achievement, often used for prizes or honors.

they were furnished with

Similar to supplied with, but often used for equipment or amenities.

they were benefiting from

Highlights the positive outcomes or advantages they experienced.

they were experiencing

Focuses on the sensation or feeling they were undergoing.

they were undergoing

Indicates a process or treatment they were subjected to.

FAQs

How can I use "they were receiving" in a sentence?

Use "they were receiving" to describe an ongoing action in the past where a group of people was in the process of getting something. For example, "They were receiving updates from the team during the meeting".

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

You can use alternatives like "they were getting", "they were obtaining", or "they were being given" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "they were receiving" or "they received"?

"They were receiving" indicates an ongoing action in the past, while "they received" describes a completed action. Choose the tense that best reflects the intended meaning. If you want to emphasize the duration of the action use "they were receiving".

What's the difference between "they were receiving" and "they had received"?

"They were receiving" describes an ongoing action in the past. "They had received" indicates that they received something before a specific point in the past. "They had received" indicates an action completed before another point in time.