was being stopped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was being stopped" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that was ongoing in the past and was interrupted or halted by someone or something. Example: "The car was being stopped by the police for a routine check."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Travel

Society

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

We didn't know why the game was being stopped.

The Guardian - Sport

Soon, it emerged that someone was being stopped and searched in London every three minutes.

The Guardian

I was being stopped in the course of the walk that I wanted to walk.

The Guardian - Books

Lyles asked why he was being stopped, but the officer did not initially answer, court documents state.

The Washington Post

It was noisy and chilly, he said, but the biggest drawback was being stopped and queried by curious observers.

The New York Times - Travel

But when the external data monitoring committee looked at the interim results, they told Maitland the trial was being stopped.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

"Our kids are being stopped.

The New York Times

People are being stopped!

The New Yorker

Now the pocket money is being stopped.

The Economist

His biggest fear is being stopped outside the airport.

The New York Times

We were being stopped in the streets in Korea, and it was pretty crazy.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "was being stopped" to describe an action or process that was in progress but was interrupted or prevented from continuing. This construction emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action before it was halted.

Common error

Avoid confusing "was being stopped" with similar-sounding tenses like "had been stopped" (past perfect passive), which indicates that the stopping action occurred before another past event. Ensure the context clearly supports the past continuous passive tense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was being stopped" functions as a passive voice construction in the past continuous tense. It describes an action that was in progress but was interrupted or prevented. Ludwig AI validates this usage by providing numerous examples of the phrase in reputable sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was being stopped" is a common and grammatically correct passive voice construction used to describe an action that was in progress but was interrupted or prevented. As validated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and formal settings. When using this phrase, ensure the tense is appropriate and consider alternative phrasings like "was being halted" or "was being prevented" to achieve the desired nuance. Paying attention to the intended meaning and avoiding common tense confusions will ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was being halted

Emphasizes the action of stopping or ceasing an activity.

was being prevented

Focuses on the act of hindering or obstructing something from happening.

was being interrupted

Highlights the disruption or temporary cessation of an ongoing process.

was being obstructed

Suggests that something is blocking or impeding progress.

was being impeded

Similar to obstructed, but implies a slowing down or hindering effect.

was being checked

Focuses on inspection and control of activities.

was being suppressed

Indicates that something is being forcibly stopped or concealed.

was being curtailed

Suggests a reduction or restriction in scope or duration.

was being terminated

Emphasizes the ending or conclusion of something.

was being shut down

Implies a complete and often forceful closure.

FAQs

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

Use "was being stopped" to describe an action in progress that was interrupted. For example, "The project "was being stopped" due to lack of funding".

What are some alternatives to "was being stopped"?

You can use alternatives like "was being halted", "was being prevented", or "was being interrupted" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was stopped" instead of "was being stopped"?

While "was stopped" is grammatically correct, it implies a completed action. "Was being stopped" indicates an action in progress that was interrupted. The choice depends on the context.

What is the difference between "was being stopped" and "had been stopped"?

"Was being stopped" describes an action in progress that was interrupted at a specific time in the past. "Had been stopped" indicates an action that had been completed before another event in the past. For example: "The game was being stopped when it started to rain" vs "The game had been stopped before I arrived".