was being assisted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was being assisted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action in the past where someone received help or support from another person. Example: "During the meeting, she was being assisted by her colleagues to prepare the presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

A spokeswoman for the Department of Immigration and Border Protection said Golestan was being assisted by doctors on the island.

The Guardian

By the final stages, Pietri was being assisted by both Bulger and Jack Andrew, the secretary of the race.

The New Yorker

FEMA was being assisted by the Coast Guard, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The New York Times

Le Parisien reported that he spoke Arabic and knew a few words of French, and was being assisted by a translator in police questioning.

The Guardian

"I want to preserve the progress that we have achieved," said Saada Majid, 42, reflecting the view of many residents as she was being assisted in her wheelchair into a polling station in the working-class neighborhood of Azadi.

The New York Times

Sea Shepherd said Watson was being assisted by Daniel Cohn Bendit, co-president of the Greens/Free European Alliance group in the European parliament, and José Bové, a group member.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

They are being assisted by a full-time assistant editor, Catherine Keim, an archivist who was hired in November 1998, and four freelance copy editors.

The New York Times

The spokesman added that the NCA is being assisted by the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

The Guardian

The Australian government says PNG staff are being assisted to build capacity for future employment.

The Guardian

Even Sarll, who is being assisted by Glenn Roeder, seemed quite surprised.

The Guardian - Sport

A group of about 80 elderly residents from a nursing home were being assisted to leave.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was being assisted", ensure the context clearly identifies who provided the assistance to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was being assist" as it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "was being assisted", which uses the passive voice correctly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was being assisted" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject received help or support. It is formed using the past continuous tense of "to be" and the passive voice. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was being assisted" is a grammatically sound and versatile passive verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it’s suitable for describing past situations where assistance was provided. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, but is also used in scientific and formal settings. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly identify who provided the assistance to ensure clarity. Alternative phrases like "was receiving assistance" or "was getting help" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was receiving assistance

Replaces the continuous passive form with a more direct action of receiving.

was getting help

Uses simpler vocabulary to convey the same meaning.

was aided by

Emphasizes the support provided by a specific entity.

was supported by

Highlights the backing or encouragement received.

was helped by

A more straightforward and common way to express assistance.

had assistance from

Indicates past possession of assistance.

benefited from assistance

Focuses on the positive outcome of receiving help.

was being facilitated by

Suggests a smoother process due to the assistance.

was under the guidance of

Specifies that the help was in the form of guidance or direction.

was mentored by

Indicates a more personal and developmental form of assistance.

FAQs

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

Use "was being assisted" to describe someone or something receiving help or support in the past. For example, "The project "was being assisted" by a team of experts".

What are some alternatives to "was being assisted"?

You can use phrases like "was receiving assistance", "was getting help", or "was aided by" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

It depends on the context. Passive voice ("was being assisted") emphasizes the recipient of the assistance, while active voice (e.g., "someone assisted") emphasizes the provider of the assistance. Choose the voice that best suits your focus.

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

"Was being assisted" refers to assistance that occurred in the past and is now complete. "Is being assisted" refers to assistance that is currently ongoing.