was coming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was coming" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an action that was in progress in the past or to indicate an event that was approaching. Example: "As the storm was coming, we decided to take shelter indoors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But love was coming.

The New Yorker

I was coming!

The New York Times

Water was coming in.

Independent

Y2K was coming.

The New York Times - Magazine

The principal was coming.

The New York Times

He was coming.

The New Yorker

Winter was coming in.

The New Yorker

Blood was coming out".

Independent

Democracy was coming.

The New York Times

Dusk was coming.

The New York Times - Magazine

Snow was coming down.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was coming" to describe events that were in progress or expected in the past. For example, "The rain was coming down harder as we drove home."

Common error

Avoid using "was coming" when referring to events that are currently happening or will happen in the future. Use "is coming" or "will be coming" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was coming" functions as a verb phrase, specifically the past continuous tense of the verb "come". It describes an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig shows examples where it indicates movement, approach, or the anticipation of an event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was coming" is a versatile verb phrase indicating an action or event in progress in the past. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media contexts. It effectively conveys movement, approach, or the anticipation of something. When writing, it's important to use the correct tense and avoid using it for present or future events. Alternative phrases like "was approaching" or "was on its way" can be used for nuanced meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was approaching

Emphasizes the act of drawing nearer in space or time.

was nearing

Similar to approaching, but often implies a final stage or destination.

was on its way

Highlights the journey or process of arrival.

was drawing near

A more formal or literary way of saying something was approaching.

was about to happen

Focuses on the imminence of an event.

was in the offing

Suggests that something is likely to occur or appear soon.

was looming

Implies a sense of threat or foreboding as something approaches.

was advancing

Emphasizes forward movement or progress.

was emerging

Highlights the process of something becoming visible or known.

was materializing

Focuses on something becoming real or tangible.

FAQs

What does "was coming" mean?

"Was coming" indicates that someone or something was in the process of approaching, arriving, or happening in the past. It describes an action or event that was underway.

What can I say instead of "was coming"?

You can use alternatives like "was approaching", "was nearing", or "was on its way" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "was coming"?

Yes, "was coming" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe an action or event that was in progress in the past.

What is the difference between "was coming" and "is coming"?

"Was coming" refers to something that was approaching in the past, while "is coming" refers to something that is approaching in the present. For example, "The storm was coming yesterday" versus "The storm is coming now".