was being built

USAGE SUMMARY

"was being built" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to communicate that an activity or process was in progress at some point in the past. Example: The new office building was being built throughout most of last year.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Peter's was being built.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Cimatheque was being built.

The Guardian - Film

Whatever was being built, it would be huge.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, at home the Venetian state was being built up.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He remembered the building as it was being built.

The New York Times

To Edinburgh as the New Town was being built.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The West Tower was being built atop an existing structure.

The New York Times

"When this place was being built, the scientific advance was steel," she said.

The New York Times

Protests against the purchase continued even as the factory was being built.

The Economist

An atmosphere was being built, with each song as a room.

The New York Times - Arts

And yet away from the spotlight, a powerbase was being built.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was being built" to describe a process that was in progress at a specific time in the past. This emphasizes the ongoing nature of the construction.

Common error

Avoid using "was being built" when you mean something has already been completed. Instead, use "was built" or "had been built" to indicate completion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was being built" functions as a passive progressive verb phrase. It describes an action (building) that was in progress at a specific time in the past. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms the phrase's correct grammatical structure and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was being built" is a very common and grammatically correct passive progressive verb phrase used to describe construction or development processes that were in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical structure and wide usability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts but is also prevalent in encyclopedias and other general sources. When using this phrase, ensure that the focus is on the ongoing nature of the construction rather than its completion. Alternatives like "was under construction" or "construction was underway" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different emphases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was under construction

Emphasizes the state of construction, highlighting that the building process was in progress.

was in the process of being built

Adds extra emphasis on the process itself.

was getting constructed

Uses the verb "getting" for a more informal tone.

was in development

Focuses on the broader concept of development, which includes planning and design.

construction was underway

Shifts the focus to the construction itself, indicating that it had started.

they were constructing

Changes the sentence to active voice.

it was taking shape

Implies that the entity was gradually forming or developing.

was in the making

Highlights the creation or development of something over time.

was in the course of construction

Uses a more formal and elaborate way to describe the building process.

building operations were ongoing

Emphasizes building operations and their continuation.

FAQs

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

Use "was being built" to describe something that was under construction at a specific point in the past. For instance, "The bridge "was being built" throughout 2020".

What are some alternatives to "was being built"?

You can use phrases like "was under construction", "construction was underway", or "was in development" as alternatives, depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was being built" or "was built"?

"Was being built" describes an ongoing process in the past, while "was built" indicates a completed action. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the state of the construction at the time you're describing.

What is the difference between "was being built" and "had been built"?

"Was being built" implies an ongoing process at a specific time in the past. "Had been built", on the other hand, refers to something that was completed before a certain point in the past.