was being gathered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was being gathered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action in the past where something was in the process of being collected or assembled. Example: "Data was being gathered for the research project over several months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"Intelligence" was being gathered on her since 1994.

The Guardian - Opinion

After a meeting on Tuesday at the Legislative Office Building of the State Capitol, legislators said information was being gathered, but it was too early for solutions.

The New York Times

No soldiers were guarding the fresh crime scene, and no evidence was being gathered from it, an hour after the blast, even though several security-force personnel were wounded, one severely.

The New York Times

Rugby New Zealand 2011 chief executive Martin Snedden said information was being gathered, but that patience would be required to ensure the right decision — for the Rugby World Cup and for the people of Christchurch — was made.

The New York Times - Sports

Hatch, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which oversees the Justice Department, said he did not know what evidence was being gathered by federal investigators but doubted the investigation was uncovering any serious criminal wrongdoing.

The New York Times - Sports

He said, "People think Cheney's Energy Task Force has been secretive about domestic issues," referring to the fact that the Vice-President has been unwilling to reveal information about private task-force meetings that took place in 2001, when information was being gathered to help develop President Bush's energy policy.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"Prisoners are being taken, and intelligence is being gathered.

The New York Times

Rotting bodies are being gathered from the deserted streets.

The Economist

They are being gathered up by the police authorities.

The Guardian

Our electronic information is being gathered at ever increasing speed.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I assume those documents are being gathered," Mr. Pagani said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the subject of the sentence clearly indicates what is being collected. For example, "Evidence was being gathered" is more effective if it's clear what evidence refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "was being gathered" when an active voice construction is more direct and clear. For instance, instead of "The data was being gathered by the team", consider "The team was gathering the data" if the emphasis is on the team's action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was being gathered" functions as a passive verb phrase. It describes an action that was happening to the subject in the past. It indicates that something was in the process of being collected or assembled by an unspecified agent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was being gathered" is a grammatically correct and common phrase used to describe an ongoing action of collecting or assembling something in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is appropriate in various contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Science. It is important to use the phrase when you wish to emphasize the continuous nature of the action, distinguishing it from a completed action like "was gathered". When writing, be mindful of the passive voice and consider whether an active construction might be more direct. This information provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and effectively using the phrase "was being gathered".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was in the process of being collected

Emphasizes the ongoing nature and the collection aspect, instead of just the gathering.

was being accumulated

Highlights the gradual increase in quantity or amount of something.

was being compiled

Focuses on the systematic arrangement and collection of information.

was being assembled

Suggests the putting together of different parts or pieces.

was being accrued

Implies a gradual accumulation over a period of time, often financially.

was being harvested

Relates to the gathering of crops or natural resources.

was being rounded up

Suggests collecting people or animals, often in a controlled manner.

was under collection

Formal and direct way of saying something was being collected.

was being pooled

Implies bringing together resources from different sources into a common fund or collection.

was being centralized

Emphasizes the process of bringing things to a central location or point.

FAQs

How is "was being gathered" used in a sentence?

The phrase "was being gathered" indicates that something was in the process of being collected or assembled over a period of time in the past. For example, "Information "was being gathered" from various sources for the report".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "was being gathered"?

You can use alternatives like "was being collected", "was being compiled", or "was being assembled" depending on the specific context.

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

"Was gathered" implies a completed action in the past, whereas "was being gathered" suggests an ongoing process of collection in the past. The latter emphasizes the duration of the action, while the former focuses on the result.

Is it correct to say "is being gathered" instead of "was being gathered"?

The choice depends on the time frame. "Is being gathered" indicates that the action is happening now, while "was being gathered" indicates that the action happened over a period in the past. For example, "Data "is being gathered" for the current study", compared to "Data "was being gathered" for the previous study".