was being discovered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was being discovered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that was ongoing in the past, particularly in a passive voice context. Example: "While the ancient ruins were being discovered, archaeologists uncovered many artifacts that shed light on the civilization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

But some people said they had the sense that Queens was being discovered yesterday.

The New York Times

The world was being discovered, its shape analysed, but it was imagined – Leonardo shows us – as an organic and mysterious entity.

The Guardian

And whatever costs the British ran up in providing assistance to the new state would be paid for by the export of wheat and, no doubt, the oil that was being discovered.

The New York Times - Books

Nixon was so agitated, attaching such urgency to the shooting, that he said he wanted full updates every 30 minutes from Felt on any new information that was being discovered in the investigation of Bremer.

The Guardian

The couple are from eastern Long Island, and Mrs. McNamara said she was happy that Governors Island was being discovered by so many people, but she hoped it did not become too popular.

The New York Times

In addition to extensive studies on the history of early Christianity and on the history of philosophy and literature, he had a strong interest in music, and he was eager to absorb everything that was being discovered in the unfolding empirical sciences of man: sociology and ethnology, psychology and physiology.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"Kensington is being discovered.

The New York Times

Fewer and fewer antibiotics are being discovered.

The Economist

"In the World Cup, he is being discovered.

The New York Times - Sports

Undiscovered writing by Whitman is being discovered all the time.

The New Yorker

About 15,000 of his private letters have been collected and more are being discovered every year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was being discovered" to describe ongoing processes of discovery in the past, particularly when the agent of discovery is not the main focus. For example: "New evidence was being discovered daily, complicating the investigation."

Common error

Do not replace "was being discovered" with a more direct active voice construction if the emphasis should be on the object being discovered rather than the discoverer. Changing "The island was being discovered by explorers" to "Explorers were discovering the island" alters the focus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was being discovered" functions as a passive progressive verb phrase. It indicates an ongoing action in the past where the subject is receiving the action, rather than performing it. Ludwig AI's examples showcase its use in describing the finding or unveiling of something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was being discovered" functions as a passive progressive verb phrase indicating an ongoing process of discovery in the past. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically sound and appropriate for describing situations where something was gradually being found or revealed, across varied reliable sources. It's important to consider the active voice and choose the more precise wording based on the intended emphasis of the writing, and keep in mind there are multiple alternative options to the phrase that can be used depending on the specific context in which the writer wishes to express themselves. It's usage is common in news media, science and encyclopedic contexts, underlining its neutrality and informative utility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was being found

Focuses on the simple act of locating something.

was being revealed

Emphasizes the unveiling or disclosure of something previously hidden.

was being identified

Highlights the act of recognizing or determining the nature of something.

was in the process of discovery

Changes the structure to emphasize the ongoing nature of the discovery process.

was coming to light

Implies that something was becoming known or apparent.

was being unearthed

Suggests uncovering something that was buried or hidden.

was under investigation

Emphasizes a formal or systematic process of finding information.

was being realized

Focuses on the moment of understanding or becoming aware.

was being noticed

Highlights the act of something becoming apparent and attracting attention.

was being pioneered

Implies that something new is in the initial stages of exploration or creation.

FAQs

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

Use "was being discovered" to describe a situation where something was in the process of being found or revealed in the past. For instance, "The tomb "was being discovered" when the support beams collapsed."

What are some alternatives to "was being discovered"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "was being found", "was being revealed", or "was coming to light".

Is "was being discovered" grammatically correct?

Yes, "was being discovered" is grammatically correct. It's the past continuous passive form of the verb "discover".

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

"Was discovered" indicates a completed action in the past, while "was being discovered" indicates an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. For example, "America was discovered in 1492" versus "America "was being discovered" by different groups of people over centuries".