was arriving

USAGE SUMMARY

"was arriving" is a correct and usable form of written English.
It is used as the past progressive form of the verb "arrive" and is typically used to describe an action that was in progress at a particular time in the past. For example: "The bus was arriving as we reached the station."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The late shift was arriving.

The New Yorker

The storm was arriving.

The New York Times - Travel

Dusk was arriving.

The New York Times

Winter was arriving.

The New York Times - Travel

Thomaz was arriving on the six-twenty.

The New Yorker

The Mets' future was arriving any moment.

The New York Times - Sports

Darkness was arriving to accompany the snow and cold.

The New York Times

Across the way, the uptown 6 was arriving.

The New York Times

"I was arriving on the river to understand the man.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Perspective, such as it was, arrived eight years ago.

The New York Times - Sports

The appropriate cell design was arrived at using GARFIELD simulations.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was arriving" to describe an ongoing action in the past, indicating that someone or something was in the process of reaching a destination. For example, "The train was arriving as I reached the platform."

Common error

Avoid using "was arriving" to describe a completed action in the past. Instead of saying "He was arriving at the party last night", use "He arrived at the party last night" to indicate the action is finished.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was arriving" functions as a past continuous verb phrase, indicating an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig examples show it used to describe ongoing processes, such as a storm or a person reaching a destination.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was arriving" functions as a past continuous verb phrase, indicating an action in progress at a specific time in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media contexts. It is used to describe events unfolding or processes happening in the past. Remember to avoid using it to describe completed actions. Alternatives like "was coming" or "was approaching" can be used for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was coming

This alternative uses a more general verb, "come", to express a similar action of approaching or nearing a destination.

was approaching

This alternative suggests a gradual movement closer to a specific point or time.

was nearing

This alternative emphasizes the proximity to a location or event.

was reaching

This alternative indicates the action of getting to or attaining something, focusing on the accomplishment of arrival.

was turning up

This alternative is more informal and suggests an unexpected or less formal arrival.

was showing up

Similar to "turning up", this implies a less formal arrival, often at an event or gathering.

was getting in

This alternative focuses on the act of entering a place or vehicle.

was pulling in

This suggests the arrival of a vehicle, like a car or train.

was landing

This is specific to the arrival of an aircraft.

had arrived

This alternative shifts the focus to the completed action of arriving, rather than the process of arriving.

FAQs

How do I use "was arriving" in a sentence?

"Was arriving" describes an action in progress in the past. For example, "The delivery truck was arriving when the meeting started", indicating the truck's arrival coincided with the meeting's commencement.

What can I say instead of "was arriving"?

You can use alternatives like "was coming", "was approaching", or "was nearing" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "was arriving" or "had arrived"?

"Was arriving" indicates an action in progress, while "had arrived" indicates a completed action. Use "was arriving" when you want to emphasize the ongoing process of arrival, and "had arrived" when the arrival is already finished.

What's the difference between "was arriving" and "arrived"?

"Was arriving" is the past continuous tense, showing an action in progress in the past. "Arrived" is the simple past tense, showing a completed action. "She was arriving at the airport" means she was in the process of arriving, whereas "She arrived at the airport" means she completed the arrival.