was being abused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was being abused" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone was subjected to mistreatment or harm over a period of time in the past. Example: "The child was being abused for several years before the authorities intervened."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Maybe she was being abused.

The New York Times - Health

Next door, a little girl, Helen, was being abused.

The New Yorker

Yes, he says, but his baby was being abused.

The Economist

He was living illegally and really was being abused.

The New York Times

"I almost called the police because I thought someone was being abused".

The New York Times

Concerned she was being abused, the teacher alerted a guidance counselor, who contacted Ms. Roman's mother.

The New York Times

He visited the hospital so often as a teenager, officials there suspected he was being abused.

The New York Times - Sports

Before Kelo, few Americans had heard of eminent domain or knew that it was being abused.

The Economist

Anne Marie never complained because she didn't know she was being abused.

The Guardian

Child welfare workers failed to heed warnings that Nixzmary was being abused.

The New York Times

But the book's publisher, Grove Press, said the Amazon review system was being abused in an organized campaign.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was being abused", ensure that the context clearly indicates the type of abuse (physical, emotional, etc.) for better understanding and impact.

Common error

Avoid vague statements. Instead of simply stating "was being abused", specify the nature of the abuse to provide a clearer and more accurate depiction of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was being abused" functions as a passive construction within a verb phrase. It indicates that the subject of the sentence was the recipient of abusive actions, rather than the perpetrator. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was being abused" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe a past situation where someone experienced ongoing mistreatment or harm. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, often used to report incidents of abuse or raise awareness. While the phrase is generally neutral to formal, it is important to specify the type of abuse for clarity. Alternatives include "suffered abuse", "was subjected to mistreatment", and "was experiencing abuse". When using the phrase, it's crucial to provide specific details about the nature of the abuse to ensure clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffered abuse

Emphasizes the experience of undergoing abusive actions.

was a victim of abuse

Identifies the person as the recipient of abusive behavior.

was subjected to mistreatment

Highlights the act of being treated poorly or unfairly.

was experiencing abuse

Focuses on the ongoing nature of the abusive situation.

endured abuse

Stresses the perseverance through a difficult abusive situation.

was ill-treated

Highlights the poor and unjust manner in which someone was treated.

was exploited

Focuses on the unfair use of someone for personal gain.

was maltreated

Highlights the cruel or violent treatment received.

was harmed

Focuses on the damage or injury inflicted upon someone.

was taken advantage of

Highlights the opportunistic use of someone's vulnerability.

FAQs

How can I use "was being abused" in a sentence?

Use "was being abused" to describe a situation where someone was subjected to mistreatment or harm over a period of time in the past. Example: "The child "was being abused" for several years before the authorities intervened."

What can I say instead of "was being abused"?

You can use alternatives like "suffered abuse", "was subjected to mistreatment", or "was experiencing abuse" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was being abused" or "had been abused"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they indicate different timeframes. "Was being abused" suggests the abuse was ongoing at a specific time in the past, while "had been abused" indicates the abuse occurred at some point before a specific time in the past.

What's the difference between ""was being abused"" and "is being abused"?

""was being abused"" refers to abuse that occurred and possibly ended in the past. "Is being abused" indicates that the abuse is currently happening.