was being given

USAGE SUMMARY

"was being given" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a continuing action that was happening in the past. For example: "I was attending the presentation when a surprise reward was being given to the most successful employee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was being given a bonus.

The New York Times

But now he was being given instructions.

The Guardian - Books

"I was being given consideration," Mr. Gray said.

The New York Times

But he was being given the same drugs as Hitler.

The Guardian - Books

"I was being given special treatment and being put through some special tests," he said.

The New York Times

The bear was being given a rest after a rehearsal for the opening ceremonies.

The New York Times - Sports

Canaan was being given over to Israel, whom God had now brought out of Egypt.

The Guardian - Opinion

I felt an intimate play was being given a misplaced epic staging.

The Guardian

By the early 60s it was being given to patients undergoing psychotherapy.

The Guardian

Microsoft's browser, Internet Explorer, was being given away and bundled with Windows.

The New York Times

Health minister John Hutton said that priority was being given to improving standards.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring the subject clearly identifies who is receiving the action. For example, "The award was being given" should be followed by 'to the winner' or a similar clarification.

Common error

Avoid replacing "was being given" with an active voice construction when the emphasis should be on the receiver of the action. For example, instead of "The committee was giving her the award" use "She was being given the award by the committee" to emphasize her reception of the honor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was being given" functions as a passive progressive verb form. It indicates that the subject of the sentence was undergoing the action of receiving something over a period of time in the past. Ludwig's examples showcase its use across various contexts, highlighting the ongoing nature of the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was being given" is a passive progressive verb phrase used to describe an ongoing action of receiving something in the past. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. The phrase sees frequent use in news and media, and enjoys a neutral register applicable to both formal and informal contexts. When using "was being given", ensure clear identification of the receiver and avoid replacing it with active voice when the emphasis should be on the reception of the action. Consider alternatives such as "received", "was granted", or "was provided with" to adjust the nuance. The phrase functions primarily to describe a state of affairs, providing context to the process of receiving, with alternatives available for slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was provided with

Highlights the act of furnishing or supplying something.

was supplied with

Similar to 'provided with', but can imply a more regular or ongoing provision.

received

Focuses on the act of getting something, rather than the process of giving.

was presented with

Emphasizes a formal or ceremonial offering.

was granted

Emphasizes a formal or official bestowal.

was offered

Focuses on the act of proposing or suggesting that something be given.

was awarded

Highlights recognition or achievement in receiving something.

was bestowed upon

Implies a formal and often honorific giving.

was handed over

Emphasizes the physical act of transferring something.

was allocated

Focuses on assigning or designating something for a specific purpose.

FAQs

How to use "was being given" in a sentence?

Use "was being given" to describe a continuous action of receiving something in the past. For example: "The lecture "was being given" by a guest professor when the fire alarm rang."

What can I say instead of "was being given"?

Alternatives include "received", "was granted", or "was provided with" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was being given" or "was given"?

"Was being given" indicates a continuous or ongoing action in the past, while "was given" indicates a completed action. "The presentation "was being given" when the power went out" versus "The presentation "was given" last week".

What's the difference between "was being given" and "had been given"?

"Was being given" describes an action in progress at a specific time in the past. "Had been given" describes an action completed before a specific time in the past. For example, "He "was being given" instructions when I arrived" versus "He "had been given" instructions before I arrived".