was being shown

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was being shown" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that was in the process of being demonstrated or revealed to the audience. For example, "The true extent of the damage caused by the hurricane was being shown on the news."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We played live as the film was being shown.

The Guardian - Music

It was her spring collection that was being shown.

The New Yorker

It felt like I was being shown my own future".

The Guardian - Film

A moving picture was being shown when he got there.

The New Yorker

It was being shown what mathematics is really about.

The Guardian

The gunman's picture, captured by surveillance cameras, was being shown to witnesses by investigators.

The New York Times

It was being shown to selected handfuls of journalists at private appointments in Sander's Milan headquarters.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He said it was important to debunk what was being shown in the museum.

The Guardian

She had flown out for her victory tour, and was being shown around battle sites.

The Guardian

During the interview one of the films, "Die Meistersinger," was being shown.

The New Yorker

Feigenbaum & Adelson's dress line was being shown on the 3rd floor at 205 West 39th St.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was being shown" to describe events or items that were in the process of being displayed or presented at a specific time in the past. For example, "The documentary about climate change was being shown at the film festival."

Common error

Avoid using "was being shown" when a simple past passive tense is more appropriate. For instance, instead of "The painting was being shown for a week", consider "The painting was shown for a week" if the process of showing isn't the focus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was being shown" functions as a passive progressive verb form, indicating an ongoing action in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it correctly describes something in the process of being demonstrated or revealed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

7%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was being shown" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe an ongoing action of displaying or presenting something in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, offering a neutral tone. When writing, it's best practice to ensure the phrase accurately reflects the continuous nature of the action, avoiding confusion with simple past passive forms. Consider alternatives like "was on display" or "was being presented" for slight variations in emphasis. With 69 real-world examples, this guide provides a thorough understanding of how to effectively use "was being shown" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was on display

Focuses on the state of being exhibited rather than the action of showing.

was being presented

Emphasizes the act of formally introducing or offering something.

was currently exhibited

Highlights the present state of being on display.

was in the process of being revealed

Highlights the unfolding nature of the disclosure.

was being demonstrated

Focuses on showing how something works or is done.

was actively screened

Specifically refers to showing a film or video.

was being unveiled

Implies a formal or ceremonial introduction.

was currently broadcast

Relates specifically to showing media through radio or television.

was under consideration

Shifts the focus to the evaluation process rather than the act of showing.

was subject to review

Indicates that something was being examined or assessed.

FAQs

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

Use "was being shown" to describe a continuous action of something being displayed or presented in the past. For example, "The evidence "was being shown" to the jury during the trial".

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

You can use alternatives like "was on display", "was being presented", or "was exhibited" depending on the context.

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

"Was being shown" indicates a continuous action in the past, while "was shown" indicates a completed action. For example, "The film "was being shown" when the power went out" (continuous), versus "The film "was shown" last night" (completed).

What's the difference between "was being shown" and "was displayed"?

"Was being shown" emphasizes the process of displaying something over a period, while "was displayed" simply states that something was displayed at some point. For instance, "The prototype "was being shown" throughout the conference", suggests an ongoing demonstration. "The prototype "was displayed" at the entrance" provides a simple statement of fact.