things were happening

USAGE SUMMARY

"things were happening" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to some unspecified events occurring in the past. For example, "When I was in town last week, some strange things were happening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Things were happening.

Independent

Soon, things were happening.

The New York Times

"So many good things were happening".

The New York Times - Sports

Some big things were happening already.

The New York Times

Bad things were happening, beatings, burnings.

The New York Times - Arts

But two other things were happening.

The New York Times

Remarkably, the right things were happening.

The New Yorker

"Things were happening at an incredible rate.

The New York Times

By then, a number of things were happening at once.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Good things are happening.

The New York Times - Sports

Strange things are happening.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "things were happening" when you want to generally describe a situation where events were unfolding, without needing to specify the exact nature of those events. It's particularly effective as a transition or setup in storytelling.

Common error

While grammatically sound, excessive use of "things were happening" can make your writing seem vague or lacking in detail. In formal contexts, replace it with more specific descriptions of the events occurring.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things were happening" functions as an intransitive clause, describing a state of affairs where unspecified events are in progress. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its usability in written English. Examples show it setting a scene or implying unseen activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "things were happening" is a versatile and frequently used expression, predominantly found in News & Media. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and appropriate for general descriptive purposes. However, be mindful of its potential for vagueness, particularly in formal writing, where more specific language is often preferable. Consider related phrases like "events were unfolding" or "developments were underway" to offer greater clarity. When employed effectively, "things were happening" serves as a powerful tool for setting the stage and implying unseen activity, particularly in narrative contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

events were unfolding

Emphasizes the sequential and gradual nature of the occurrences.

developments were underway

Highlights progress and advancement in the situation.

actions were taking place

Focuses on specific actions or activities that were occurring.

the situation was evolving

Indicates a gradual change in circumstances.

matters were progressing

Similar to 'developments were underway', but slightly more formal.

activity was unfolding

Highlights the presence of movement and engagement in the situation.

changes were occurring

Focuses on the alterations and modifications taking place.

the scene was set

Suggests that a particular environment or context was being prepared.

the ball was rolling

This idiom refers to progress being made.

the plot thickened

This idiom indicates the story is becoming more complicated.

FAQs

How can I use "things were happening" in a sentence?

You can use "things were happening" to generally describe a period when events were unfolding, like "In the city that night, "things were happening" at an incredible rate".

What's a more descriptive alternative to "things were happening"?

Depending on the context, consider alternatives like "events were unfolding", "developments were underway", or "changes were occurring" to provide more specific detail.

Is it appropriate to use "things were happening" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "things were happening" might be too vague for academic writing. Opt for more precise language to describe the events or processes you're discussing.

What's the difference between ""things were happening"" and "things happened"?

"Things were happening" implies an ongoing process or series of events unfolding over time, while "things happened" suggests a completed set of occurrences.