was being reviewed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was being reviewed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was in the process of being examined or evaluated at a specific time in the past. Example: "The document was being reviewed by the committee when the meeting was interrupted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

I only knew he was being reviewed for it".

The New York Times

The league said Monday that Stropolo's situation was being reviewed.

The New York Times - Sports

A spokeswoman said the episode was being reviewed.

The New York Times

Her parents were ill, friends said, and her ethics violation was being reviewed by prosecutors.

The New York Times

However, he said, this was being reviewed in the case of new plantings.

The New York Times

A spokeswoman for Health and Human Services said the decision was being reviewed.

The New York Times

All over the country, Operation Candor was being reviewed like a new musical comedy.

The New Yorker

On the campus in Florham Park, Dr. Greene said the university's guest policy was being reviewed.

The New York Times

Mr. Sherin said G.E. had no news while the merger was being reviewed by federal regulators.

The New York Times

A spokesman for the state attorney general's office, Richard Bamberger, said the decision was being reviewed.

The New York Times

Mr. McCloud said the Compañeros case was being reviewed and no final decision had been made.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and choose a synonym if a more specific term like "assessed" or "investigated" better reflects the nature of the review process.

Common error

While "was being reviewed" is grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice can make your writing sound weak or unclear. Whenever possible, reframe the sentence to use an active voice. For example, instead of "The report was being reviewed by the team", consider "The team was reviewing the report".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was being reviewed" functions as a passive verb construction. It indicates that the subject of the sentence was the recipient of the action (reviewing), not the actor. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was being reviewed" is a common and grammatically correct passive verb construction used to indicate that something was actively undergoing examination or evaluation in the past. According to Ludwig, it functions to communicate a state of assessment with an anticipated outcome. Predominantly found in News & Media, its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts. While valid, consider using the active voice for more direct communication. The examples provided by Ludwig AI demonstrate its versatility and widespread acceptance in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was under consideration

Emphasizes the act of thoughtfully considering something, suggesting a more deliberate process than a simple review.

was being assessed

Focuses on evaluating the quality or value of something, highlighting a more formal or quantitative approach.

was in the process of evaluation

Highlights the ongoing nature of the assessment, emphasizing that it is not yet complete.

was subject to scrutiny

Implies a more critical and detailed examination, suggesting a higher level of oversight or concern.

was undergoing examination

Focuses on the detailed inspection of something, often in a formal or official setting.

was being investigated

Suggests a more formal inquiry, often with the aim of uncovering facts or resolving a dispute.

was up for reevaluation

Indicates that something previously evaluated is being looked at again, potentially leading to a different conclusion.

was the object of analysis

Emphasizes a detailed and systematic study of something, often with a scientific or academic purpose.

was getting a second look

Offers a more informal way of saying something was being reviewed again, often implying that the initial assessment may have been insufficient.

was being checked

Implies a simple and straightforward verification process, often used in routine or procedural contexts.

FAQs

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

The phrase "was being reviewed" indicates that something was in the process of being examined or evaluated at a specific time in the past. For example, "The application "was being reviewed" by the admissions committee last month".

What are some alternatives to "was being reviewed"?

You can use alternatives like "was under consideration", "was being assessed", or "was subject to scrutiny" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "was being reviewed"?

While "was being reviewed" is grammatically correct (passive voice), using the active voice can often make your writing more direct and clear. For example, instead of "The proposal "was being reviewed"", consider saying "The committee reviewed the proposal".

What does "was being reviewed" imply about the status of something?

It implies that the subject was in a state of active examination or evaluation at a particular time in the past, suggesting that a decision or outcome was pending.