was being worked on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was being worked on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was in the process of being developed or improved at a certain time in the past. Example: "The project was being worked on for several months before it was finally completed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Jacob, a rat expert, was asked by Sigma-Aldrich to see if he could use a different trick to genetically modify rats, one that was being worked on by Sangamo BioSciences, called zinc finger nucleases.

Forbes

Little did I know that "45 Seconds From Broadway" was being worked on without my being aware of it.

The New York Times

Now, fortunately, I had known something about beams of molecules, because that was being worked on at Columbia, and I had just been in contact with all the right things, with the engineering and resonant cavities and so on.

University of California, Berkeley

In the deal that was being worked on, the Yankees would give up the top prospect Alfonso Soriano, middle reliever Jason Grimsley and the minor league pitcher Brandon Knight.

The New York Times

And Jeff Bridges, best supporting actor nominee for "The Contender," was being worked on by the makeup artist Edouard Henriques, nominated for "The Cell," while nearby the cinematographer John Mathieson, nominated for "Gladiator," was preparing for a shot.

The New York Times

When I saw the church, it was closed to visitors; the belfry was being worked on, probably because of damage to it in the 1997 earthquakes.

University of Chicago

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Update is being worked on!

TechCrunch

What is being worked on are multiple arrays, or a matrix.

Forbes

We don't know exactly when they're coming, but they're being worked on now.

TechCrunch

Some of them were being worked on by one or more of his fifteen assistants.

The New Yorker

This is being worked on.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was being worked on" to clearly indicate that a process or project was in development or undergoing modification at a specific time in the past. For clarity, specify who or what was doing the work if relevant.

Common error

Ensure that the context clarifies what "it" refers to when using "was being worked on". Avoid vague references that could confuse the reader about the subject of the work.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was being worked on" functions as a passive construction indicating that a particular subject was receiving attention or undergoing development at a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was being worked on" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe an ongoing activity or development in the past. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a passive construction, conveying that effort was directed towards a subject at a specific time. Predominantly found in news, academic, and scientific sources, it maintains a neutral register. To enhance clarity, ensure the subject of the work is clearly defined. Alternatives like "was under development" can offer similar meanings. Keep in mind the tips, examples and linguistic analysis to improve the efficiency and quality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was under development

Replaces the passive construction with a direct statement of development.

was in progress

Focuses on the ongoing state of the work.

was being developed

Uses a synonym for "worked on", emphasizing development.

was being processed

Highlights the act of processing rather than general work.

was being addressed

Focuses on the act of solving or dealing with an issue.

was being handled

Emphasizes the management or control aspect of the work.

was undergoing revisions

Specifically indicates that changes and improvements were being made.

was subject to modification

Formal way to express changes were in progress.

was receiving attention

Highlights that the focus was on the subject.

was the object of labor

A more elaborate way to state that effort was being put into something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was being worked on" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "was under development" or "was subject to modification", depending on the specific context.

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

The choice between "is" and "was" depends on the timeframe. "Is being worked on" refers to the present, while "was being worked on" refers to the past. For example, "The issue "is being worked on" now" versus "The issue "was being worked on" last week".

What's the difference between "was worked on" and "was being worked on"?

"Was worked on" implies a completed action, while "was being worked on" indicates an action in progress. The continuous form "was being worked on" emphasizes the ongoing nature of the work at a specific time in the past.

What are some common synonyms for "was being worked on" in technical writing?

In technical contexts, you might use alternatives such as "was under development", "was being developed", or "was undergoing revisions" to maintain a professional tone.