was being hidden

USAGE SUMMARY

'was being hidden' is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to show that something was happening in the past. For example: The stolen jewelry was being hidden in the abandoned building.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

The asbestos was being hidden in plain sight.

The New York Times - Arts

But rumours starting spreading that Kageruka was being hidden, he said.

The Guardian

He was being hidden by anti-Peronists, but she managed to spend a week with him.

The New York Times

He continues: "Some media claimed that harsh treatment of boat people was being hidden.

The Guardian

We wanted to know exactly what was being hidden from us.

The New Yorker

When you started realizing that everything was being hidden, that was when you started feeling embarrassed to be a Catholic.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

With quick developing of information technology, more and more information was been hidden in electronic media.

Expert Systems with Applications

Whose fortunes were being hidden?

The New Yorker

Children and women are being hidden".

The Guardian

Vincente agreed: "This is being hidden, people are not interested in making this public.

The Guardian - Business

Some of this goes toward paying bills, while the rest is being hidden or moved abroad.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was being hidden" to describe an ongoing action in the past where something was in the process of being concealed. This emphasizes the duration of the act, rather than just the completed state of being hidden.

Common error

Avoid using "was hidden" when you want to emphasize the process of something being concealed over a period of time. "Was hidden" implies a completed action, whereas "was being hidden" suggests an action in progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was being hidden" functions as the past continuous passive voice. It describes an action (hiding) that was ongoing in the past, with the subject receiving the action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a valid and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

11%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was being hidden" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to depict the continuous action of concealing something in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is valid in written English, and its applications span across diverse contexts, primarily in News & Media. The phrase finds utility in conveying the progression and duration of concealment, rather than just a static state. For alternatives, consider phrases like "was concealed", "was covered up", or "was kept secret", adjusting for nuances. Remember to use "was being hidden" to highlight the process of something being concealed over a period, distinguishing it from "was hidden", which denotes a completed state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was concealed

Direct synonym replacing 'being hidden' with a single verb.

was covered up

Implies deliberate action to hide something, adding a layer of intent.

was kept secret

Focuses on the secrecy aspect rather than the physical act of hiding.

was not revealed

Highlights the lack of disclosure, shifting the focus from the act of hiding.

was obscured

Suggests something was made unclear or difficult to see, either literally or figuratively.

was suppressed

Indicates that something was actively prevented from becoming known.

was swept under the rug

Idiomatic expression implying a deliberate attempt to ignore or conceal a problem.

remained undisclosed

Formal way of saying something was not made public.

was shielded from view

Emphasizes the protection from being seen.

eluded detection

Focuses on the fact that something avoided being discovered.

FAQs

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

Use "was being hidden" to describe an action that was happening continuously in the past. For example, "The evidence "was being hidden" in the basement when the police arrived".

What is the difference between "was hidden" and "was being hidden"?

"Was hidden" indicates a completed action in the past, while "was being hidden" suggests an ongoing action in the past. The latter emphasizes the process of concealment, whereas the former only indicates the state of being concealed.

What are some alternatives to "was being hidden"?

Alternatives include "was concealed", "was covered up", or "was kept secret", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "was being hidden"?

Yes, "was being hidden" is grammatically correct. It is the past continuous passive form of the verb "hide", indicating that an action of hiding something was in progress at a particular time in the past.