was being forgotten

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was being forgotten" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something or someone is in the process of being overlooked or neglected in the past. Example: "As time went on, the contributions of the early pioneers were slowly being forgotten."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

History was being forgotten.

The New Yorker

She complained that the legitimate balanced role of competition in the NHS was being forgotten.

The Guardian

While immersed in his New England life, however, Mr. Bloom was being forgotten elsewhere.

The New York Times - Arts

The late historian Eric Hobsbawm worried that history was being forgotten, but it is stranger than that.

The Guardian - Arts

"They needed it to raise their level of excellence," he said of U.T.B., "and we needed it to be able to refocus on the basic community college mission, because it was being forgotten".

The New York Times

Napoleon I's tyranny was being forgotten or glossed over as the memory of it grew dimmer, and instead his "glory," which contrasted so strikingly with the timidity and dullness of the bourgeois monarchy of Louis-Philippe, was lauded nostalgically.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

A dance she fears is being forgotten.

The Guardian

But visitors are scarce and the books are being forgotten.

The Guardian

Wonderful pieces of architecture are being forgotten or replaced.

The Guardian

And that is what is being forgotten as copyright holders try to tighten their grip.

The New York Times

"It's a very nice town, and it's being forgotten".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was being forgotten" to emphasize a process of gradual neglect or fading from memory, especially when highlighting the consequences of this neglect.

Common error

Don't use "was being forgotten" to describe events that are suddenly forgotten. This phrase is best for gradual processes, not immediate memory lapses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was being forgotten" functions as a passive progressive verb phrase. It describes an action (being forgotten) that was in progress at some point in the past. Ludwig confirms this grammatical structure and the examples illustrate this function.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

13%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Science

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was being forgotten" is a grammatically correct passive progressive verb phrase used to describe a gradual process of fading from memory or attention. Ludwig confirms its correctness. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts and serves to highlight concern over neglect. When using this phrase, remember to emphasize the ongoing nature of the forgetting and avoid using it for sudden events. Alternatives such as "was fading from memory" or "was being overlooked" can be used to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was fading from memory

Emphasizes the gradual loss of recollection.

was becoming a distant memory

Highlights the increasing remoteness of something in the past.

was slipping into obscurity

Focuses on the loss of prominence or recognition.

was being overlooked

Indicates a lack of attention or consideration.

was passing unnoticed

Stresses the lack of awareness or acknowledgment.

was being neglected

Suggests a lack of care or attention.

was consigned to oblivion

Emphasizes a complete state of being forgotten or unknown.

was losing its significance

Highlights the diminishing importance or relevance of something.

was becoming irrelevant

Focuses on the decreasing pertinence or applicability of something.

was being superseded

Suggests something is being replaced by something newer or more relevant.

FAQs

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

Use "was being forgotten" to describe a gradual process where something or someone is slowly fading from memory or importance. For example, "The contributions of the early pioneers "were being forgotten" as time passed".

What are some alternatives to "was being forgotten"?

You can use alternatives such as "was being overlooked", "was fading from memory", or "was slipping into obscurity" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "was forgotten" or "was being forgotten"?

"Was forgotten" implies a completed action, whereas "was being forgotten" suggests an ongoing process. Use "was being forgotten" when you want to emphasize the gradual nature of the forgetting.

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

"Was being forgotten" describes a continuous process in the past, while "had been forgotten" describes a state that existed before a specific point in the past. For example, "The lesson "was being forgotten" until the teacher reminded the students" versus "The lesson "had been forgotten" before the test".