was being aided

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was being aided" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action in the past where assistance was provided to someone or something. Example: "During the emergency, the injured were being aided by paramedics on the scene."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The Chinese state-run news media reported earlier in the week that the rescue effort was being aided by parts from a Chinese-made crane — the SCC4000 crawler.

The New York Times

Henri E. Cauvin (NYT) ANGOLA: REBELS CONDEMN U.N. REPORT -- The Unita rebel group dismissed a United Nations report that it was being aided by African countries ignoring sanctions, calling the findings arrogant and racist.

The New York Times

Ben Bernanke, the head of America's central bank, last night gave a boost to shares on both sides of the Atlantic when he said the fight against inflation was being aided by falling commodity prices and the stronger dollar.

The Guardian - Business

It noted that I did not appear to "possess any substantive information concerning the suppression or cover-up aspects of the [My Khe 4] incident," but that I was being aided in my reporting by someone with access to the official records.

The New Yorker

Almost 500 firefighters, many of them transferred from the flank near Show Low, were frantically building fire lines in an effort to stop the wildfire's advance, which was being aided by spot fires sparked ahead of it in the bone-dry woodlands by flying embers and other airborne debris.

The New York Times

News that Samsung was being aided by Sir Robin was revealed on Mr Mueller's Foss Patents blog.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The Iraqi Army began the offensive over the weekend and is being aided by American troops.

The New York Times

The group, they explained, was at war with the Colombian authorites who were being aided by the Americans.

The Guardian

In Massachusetts, Mr. Tusk's efforts are being aided by William F. Weld, who served as governor there from 1991 to 1997.

The New York Times

Their work in Dominica is being aided by the Christian Children's Fund, which supports two schools on the island.

The New York Times

It is being aided by the Dodd-Frank financial regulatory overhaul, which is forcing Wall Street banks to push their derivatives trades into clearinghouses and regulated exchanges.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was being aided", ensure that the context clearly indicates who or what is providing the assistance. This helps to avoid ambiguity and ensures clarity in your writing.

Common error

A common mistake is to omit the agent (the one providing aid) in passive constructions like "was being aided", leading to vagueness. Always strive to include the agent or ensure it's clear from the surrounding context.

Linguistic Context

"Was being aided" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject of the sentence was receiving help or assistance. The phrase is used to describe a state of receiving support rather than actively seeking or providing it, as shown in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was being aided" is a grammatically correct passive verb phrase used to describe a situation in the past where someone or something was receiving help or assistance. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers several real-world examples from news, science, and wiki sources. While not overly formal, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for various contexts. To enhance clarity, always ensure the agent providing the aid is clear, either explicitly or implicitly within the text. Consider alternatives such as "was being helped" or "was receiving assistance" to fine-tune the nuance of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was receiving assistance

Replaces "aided" with a more formal synonym, "assistance".

was being assisted

Uses the formal term "assisted", which is a direct synonym for "aided".

was being helped

Uses the simpler word "helped" instead of "aided", making it more informal.

was being supported

Emphasizes the support aspect of being aided, rather than direct assistance.

was getting support

Focuses on the act of receiving support, simpler and less formal than "was being aided".

was being backed

Highlights the backing or endorsement aspect of the support being received.

was benefiting from help

Emphasizes the positive outcome (benefiting) from the help received.

was provisioned with assistance

More formal and specific; suggests a deliberate providing of aid.

was furnished with support

Similar to 'provisioned with assistance', emphasizing a formal offering of help.

was being facilitated

Focuses on the process being made easier through assistance.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was being aided" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "was receiving assistance", "was being assisted", or "was provisioned with assistance".

What's a simpler way to say "was being aided"?

You can simplify it by using "was being helped" or "was getting support". These options are more informal and easier to understand.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing assistance?

The choice depends on the context. Passive voice ("was being aided") emphasizes the recipient of the aid, while active voice (e.g., "someone aided") emphasizes the provider. Use the voice that best suits your focus.

What does it mean when something "was being aided"?

It means that something or someone was receiving help or support at a particular time in the past. The phrase indicates that the assistance was ongoing.