was being appropriated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was being appropriated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that was ongoing in the past, particularly in contexts involving the taking or use of something, often without permission or in a way that is considered inappropriate. Example: "The cultural symbols were being appropriated by various brands without acknowledgment of their origins."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

I asked him if he was concerned that the story of his country was being appropriated by western artists for an international audience that may not fully understand the causes and antecedents of the catastrophe.

The Guardian - Film

The spokesperson added that if a user felt their content was being appropriated in such a way that might violate copyright law, then it should be reported to its help centre.

The Guardian - Tech

Companies which claimed that their intellectual property was being appropriated or infringed could request court orders to forbid advertising networks (such as Google) and payment facilities (online services such as PayPal) from conducting business with infringing websites.

The Guardian - Tech

When Christian residents of Bethlehem and other West Bank towns complained that their land was being appropriated to make way for new Israeli settlements (including ones that the American government had deplored), they rarely found much much sympathy in the United States.

The Economist

But Representative Dana Rohrabacher, the California Republican who is chairman of the space and aeronautics subcommittee, said he was concerned that not enough money was being appropriated to ensure the speedy development of a new orbital space plane to transport astronauts.

The New York Times

More knew, from the time he wrote his Antidote Against Atheism, that Descartes's philosophy was being appropriated by atheists for their own purposes.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Here, it is the idea of a museum that is being appropriated.

The New York Times

To do that, non-deeded public land (the commons) that has been farmed by families for generations is being appropriated and privatised by agribusinesses.

The Guardian

Jennifer Smith of Avenue C said the clash symbolized the frustration and anger felt by many in the area, who think open spaces are being appropriated unfairly.

The New York Times

On several occasions, Mr. Held has confirmed his suspicions that his e-mail address and other personal information are being appropriated by third parties without his permission.

The New York Times - Tech

It seems hardly surprising that the brilliant is being appropriated alongside the banal, but, in this case, it seems more an odd form of admiration than disrespect.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was being appropriated", ensure the context clearly indicates who is doing the appropriating and what is being appropriated to avoid ambiguity. For example: "The indigenous community felt their cultural heritage was being appropriated by commercial interests."

Common error

Avoid using "was being appropriated" when a simpler term like "used" or "taken" suffices. Overusing the term can dilute its impact and make your writing sound unnecessarily complex. It's most effective when emphasizing the ethical or cultural implications of the act.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was being appropriated" functions as a passive progressive construction, indicating that something was in the process of being taken or used improperly or without authorization. As noted by Ludwig AI, it describes an action ongoing in the past. Examples from Ludwig show it used in contexts of cultural symbols and intellectual property.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was being appropriated" is a passive progressive phrase used to describe an action where something was improperly or without authorization being taken or used in the past. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English. The phrase appears most frequently in the context of news and media, as well as scientific writing, often expressing concern over ethical or cultural infringements. Remember to use it when you need to highlight the ongoing nature of the appropriation in the past and the ethical or cultural implications involved. Be mindful of overuse, and consider simpler alternatives when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was being co-opted

Highlights the adoption or use of something for a different purpose than intended.

was getting hijacked

Emphasizes the forceful or unauthorized takeover aspect.

was being usurped

Focuses on the illegal or forceful seizure of power or rights.

was getting exploited

Stresses the unfair use of something for personal gain.

was being infringed upon

Highlights the violation of rights or boundaries.

was being commandeered

Focuses on the taking of something for military or public use.

was being requisitioned

Emphasizes the formal demand for something, often for official use.

was being expropriated

Highlights the state's act of taking private property for public use.

was being converted

Focuses on the transformation of something into a different form or use.

was being assumed

Highlights the taking or beginning to have (power or responsibility).

FAQs

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

Use "was being appropriated" to describe an ongoing action in the past where something was taken or used without permission or in an inappropriate way. For example, "The artist felt their work "was being appropriated" without credit."

What are some alternatives to using "was being appropriated"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "was getting hijacked", "was being co-opted", or "was getting exploited".

Is it correct to say "is being appropriated" instead of "was being appropriated"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct, but they indicate different time frames. "Is being appropriated" describes an action happening in the present, while "was being appropriated" describes an action that was happening in the past.

What is the difference between appropriation and inspiration?

Appropriation involves taking elements from another's work without permission or proper attribution, whereas inspiration involves drawing influence from another's work in a transformative and original way.