was being checked

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "was being checked" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an action that was in progress at a certain point in the past. For example: "The paperwork was being checked when the thunderstorm began."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Everybody except the nurses was being checked.

The New Yorker

I was being checked for loads of cancers and that got really scary.

The Guardian - Sport

The next thing he knew, he was being checked into Aurora Las Encinas, a psychiatric hospital.

The New York Times - Magazine

I was being checked by a military service specialist and he tried to abuse me," Behdad remembers.

The Guardian - Opinion

He had not been under constant surveillance, Sheriff Guest said, but was being checked by officers every 15 minutes.

The New York Times

Mr. Damas's vehicle, a GMC Yukon Denali, was found at the airport and was being checked for evidence.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

He's being checked out now.

Independent

Bags were being checked at most theaters.

The New York Times

All vehicles are being checked at the border".

The New York Times

"They're being checked out as a precaution".

The New York Times

An Israeli military spokesman said the circumstances were being checked.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was being checked" when you want to emphasize the ongoing nature of the checking process at a specific time in the past. For example, "The data was being checked for errors when the system crashed."

Common error

Avoid using the active voice when the passive voice is more appropriate. For instance, instead of "Someone was checking the documents", use "The documents were being checked" to emphasize the documents rather than the person doing the checking.

Linguistic Context

"Was being checked" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating an action in progress in the past. This construction is used when the subject is receiving the action, rather than performing it, as supported by Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

12%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was being checked" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase that indicates an action of inspection or verification in progress in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig, this construction is appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news and media. It's important to use the passive voice correctly to emphasize the object of the action rather than the actor. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively use this phrase to convey precise meaning and avoid common errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was under inspection

Focuses on the act of inspecting rather than the process of checking.

was undergoing verification

Emphasizes the process of confirming the truth or accuracy of something.

was in the process of being examined

Highlights the detailed and thorough nature of the examination.

was getting inspected

Uses a more informal and conversational tone.

was subject to review

Indicates a formal assessment or evaluation.

was audited

Specifically refers to a systematic examination of records or accounts.

was being assessed

Highlights the evaluation aspect of the checking process.

was under surveillance

Suggests a monitoring or observation process.

was being monitored

Emphasizes continuous observation for a specific purpose.

was scrutinized

Implies a critical and detailed examination.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was being checked"?

You can use alternatives like "was under inspection", "was undergoing verification", or "was being assessed" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "was being checked" in a sentence?

Use "was being checked" to describe an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. For example, "The car was being checked by the mechanic yesterday."

What is the difference between "was checked" and "was being checked"?

"Was checked" indicates a completed action in the past, while "was being checked" indicates an action that was in progress at a certain point in the past. For instance, "The report was checked" means the checking is finished, whereas "The report was being checked" means the checking was ongoing.

Is "was being checked" grammatically correct?

Yes, "was being checked" is grammatically correct. It is the past continuous passive form of the verb "check".