was being discussed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was being discussed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a topic or subject that was under consideration or conversation in the past. Example: "The new policy changes were being discussed during the meeting last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I was being discussed.

The New York Times

Tailored solutions But what sort of entrepreneur was being discussed?

The Guardian

But what was being discussed was not a murder plot.

The New Yorker

The dialogue was too cheery for what was being discussed.

The New York Times - Magazine

He was at the table when the Paulson bailout was being discussed.

The New Yorker

With many of these meetings, it is often difficult to discern what exactly was being discussed.

The New York Times

The defense argued that such cryptic statements made it unclear what was being discussed.

The New York Times

On Saturday, Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn wondered why the issue was being discussed at all.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

(A sequel is being discussed).

The New York Times

Recycling is being discussed.

The New York Times

Very contentious issues are being discussed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was being discussed" to indicate that a topic was in the process of conversation or deliberation at a specific time in the past. It's particularly useful when the focus is on the process rather than the outcome of the discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "was being discussed" when referring to a discussion that is completely finished and its results are known. In such cases, "was discussed" might be more appropriate to emphasize completion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was being discussed" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject received the action of discussing. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was being discussed" is a versatile and grammatically sound passive verb phrase used to describe a subject under active consideration in the past. Ludwig AI analysis and the high frequency across diverse sources like The New York Times, The Guardian and academic publications, confirm its widespread acceptability. Remember to use it when emphasizing the process of discussion rather than the result and consider context-appropriate alternatives like "was under consideration" for formal settings. Avoid using it when referring to completely finished discussions where "was discussed" might be more fitting. By following these guidelines, you can effectively and accurately incorporate the phrase "was being discussed" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was under consideration

Emphasizes the formal evaluation or thought process involved.

was being considered

Focuses on the act of thinking about something as a possibility.

was the subject of discussion

Highlights the topic or theme of the conversation.

was being talked about

A more informal way of saying something was being discussed.

was on the agenda

Indicates that something was formally planned for discussion.

came up in conversation

Suggests the topic arose naturally during a conversation.

was being negotiated

Focuses on a specific type of discussion aimed at reaching an agreement.

was being reviewed

Suggests a formal examination or assessment was taking place.

was being analyzed

Implies a detailed examination of the subject.

was being explored

Indicates an investigative or exploratory approach to the topic.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was being discussed" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "was under consideration" or "was being considered". These alternatives emphasize a formal evaluation process.

Is "was being discussed" grammatically correct?

Yes, "was being discussed" is grammatically correct. It is the past continuous passive form of the verb "discuss", indicating an ongoing action in the past.

What's the difference between "was discussed" and "was being discussed"?

"Was discussed" indicates a completed action, while "was being discussed" implies an ongoing or incomplete action in the past. For example, "The proposal was discussed at the meeting" versus "The proposal "was being discussed" during the meeting".

What are some alternatives to "was being discussed" for informal writing?

In informal contexts, you can use phrases like "was being talked about" or "came up in conversation" as alternatives to "was being discussed".