was being done

USAGE SUMMARY

"was being done" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example: The renovations that were being done had to be paused due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is what was being done to human beings.

Huffington Post

Meanwhile, research was being done.

The Guardian

I knew why it was being done.

The New York Times

Nothing was being done about it.

The Guardian

The police, however, didn't feel that enough was being done.

The New Yorker

"Something unnatural was being done to our food supply.

The Guardian

And beneath it all, business was being done.

The New York Times

and that it was being done on a shoestring...

The New York Times - Books

Elsewhere, meanwhile, documentary was being done the old-fashioned way.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

This, she claims, was being done independently of Cambridge Analytica.

The Guardian

"What was being done was like a massacre.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was being done" to clearly indicate an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. This construction is particularly useful when the actor is unknown or less important than the action itself.

Common error

Avoid replacing the passive construction "was being done" with an active voice construction when the subject performing the action is irrelevant or unknown. The passive voice maintains focus on the action itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was being done" functions as a passive progressive construction, indicating an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It highlights the ongoing nature of the action rather than the actor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was being done" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that indicates an action in progress at a specific point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this passive progressive construction is most frequently found in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts. To enhance your writing, use "was being done" when the actor is less important than the action and consider alternatives like "was in progress" or "was underway" for variety. Remember to avoid replacing it with an active construction when the subject is irrelevant or unknown to maintain the proper focus. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "was being done" to improve clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was in progress

Focuses on the ongoing nature of the action, similar to "was being done".

was underway

Highlights the commencement and continuation of an activity.

was in the process of being done

Emphasizes the steps involved in completing the action.

was getting done

Indicates a gradual completion of the action.

was carried out

Focuses on the execution of a task or action.

was executed

Highlights the formal implementation of a plan or action.

was performed

Emphasizes the act of carrying out a specific function or task.

was conducted

Indicates a systematic or organized undertaking.

was implemented

Highlights the putting of a plan or system into effect.

was acted upon

Focuses on the action taken in response to something.

FAQs

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

"Was being done" indicates an ongoing action in the past. For example, "The research "was being done" to find a native predator".

What phrases are similar to "was being done"?

Alternatives include "was in progress", "was underway", or "was carried out". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice instead of "was being done"?

While active voice can be more direct, passive voice with "was being done" is appropriate when the actor is unknown or the action is more important. For example, "The experiment "was being done" in the lab" emphasizes the experiment.

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

"Was done" indicates a completed action in the past, while "was being done" indicates an action that was in progress at a specific time. For example, "The task "was done" yesterday" versus "The task "was being done" when the fire alarm rang".