was being supported

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was being supported" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action in the past where someone or something received support. Example: "During the project, the team was being supported by several external consultants who provided valuable insights."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

When we met her, her education was being supported by a Malaysian woman.

The New York Times

By luck or whatever, Ann Cotton appeared, and soon Murimirwa was being supported by Camfed.

The Washington Post

Interspersed are occasional diary notes about what division was being supported, location, a trip to Paris and other personal matters.

Columbia University

I left sixth form initially because of health problems and didn't feel like I was being supported.

The Guardian

At the arraignment, Ms. Shulman said Mr. Salander's family was being supported with $25,000 a month by a benefactor.

The New York Times

We wanted Belle to feel that she was being supported and that she was a part of the team".

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

"But the end objective is being supported.

The New York Times

Some are being supported by philanthropy.

The Economist

Now, finally, it is being supported.

MIT Technology Review

The case is being supported by the GMB union.

The Guardian - Tech

The victim's family is being supported by specialist officers.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was being supported" to describe an action that occurred over a period of time in the past. It is best used when the support is ongoing or continuous, rather than a one-time event.

Common error

Avoid using "was being supported" to describe a single, completed action. Instead, use "was supported" for completed actions or "is being supported" for present, ongoing actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was being supported" functions as a passive voice construction indicating that the subject of the sentence received aid or assistance over a period of time. This is confirmed by Ludwig, highlighting numerous instances across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

18%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was being supported" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe ongoing assistance in the past. Ludwig confirms its frequent occurrence across diverse domains, including news, academia, and science. The phrase's neutral register makes it appropriate for various contexts. When writing, ensure the tense aligns with the intended time frame and the ongoing nature of the support. If you need other choices, consider alternatives such as "received assistance" or "was getting backing" for nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received assistance

Focuses on the act of receiving help, differing from the ongoing implication of "was being supported".

was aided by

Highlights the agent providing assistance, shifting the emphasis.

was getting backing

Emphasizes endorsement and resources, changing the focus from general support.

benefited from aid

Stresses the positive outcome of the assistance, unlike the neutral tone of "was being supported".

had the backing of

Implies formal approval or endorsement, adding a layer of authority.

was sustained by

Conveys a sense of maintenance and continuation, emphasizing long-term support.

was upheld by

Suggests a more active and forceful kind of support, differing in intensity.

was financed by

Specifies financial assistance, narrowing the scope of support.

had the sponsorship of

Indicates a formal sponsorship arrangement, adding a commercial aspect.

was championed by

Highlights advocacy and active promotion, conveying enthusiastic support.

FAQs

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

Use "was being supported" to describe an action that received continuous help in the past. For example: "The project /s/was+being+supported by external consultants".

What phrases are similar to "was being supported"?

Alternatives include "received assistance", "was aided by", or "was getting backing" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is being supported" instead of "was being supported"?

The correct tense depends on the context. "Is being supported" describes a present action, while "was being supported" describes an action in the past.

What's the difference between "was supported" and "was being supported"?

"Was supported" implies a completed action, while "was being supported" indicates a continuous action over a period of time in the past.