was continuing to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was continuing to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action that was happening in the past. Example: "She was continuing to work on the project despite the challenges she faced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Iraq was continuing to bubble.

The Washington Post

The migrant crisis was continuing to intensify.

The Guardian

And it was continuing to do excellent investigative work.

The Economist

The F.D.A. said it was continuing to assess the topic.

The New York Times

She said the government was continuing to review terrorist legislation.

The Guardian

It has said it was continuing to cooperate with regulators.

The New York Times

Police said she was continuing to recuperate at home.

The Guardian

She said the department was continuing to investigate the increase.

The New York Times

Last night, it was continuing to do so".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The motion was continued to the first quarter of next year.

Los Angeles Times

Joe is continuing to fight".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was continuing to" to emphasize the ongoing nature of an action in the past, especially when the duration or persistence is relevant. For example, "The investigation was continuing to uncover new evidence, highlighting the complexity of the case."

Common error

Avoid using "was continuing to" excessively, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Opt for more concise alternatives like "continued" or "persisted" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was continuing to" functions as a progressive verb phrase, indicating an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. The examples show it describing ongoing investigations, recuperation, cooperation, and growth.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

93%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was continuing to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that describes an action in progress in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to emphasize duration and persistence, typically in neutral contexts like news and media. While alternatives like "continued to" or "kept on" exist, "was continuing to" specifically highlights the ongoing nature of the action at a particular point in time. Overusing this phrase can lead to redundancy, so mindful use is recommended to maintain writing clarity and conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continued to

This is a more concise and direct way of expressing the same idea, omitting the auxiliary verb "was".

kept on

This option is slightly more informal, implying a persistent or habitual continuation.

carried on

Similar to "kept on", but slightly more formal and implies a continuation despite difficulties.

persisted in

This phrase suggests a determined or stubborn continuation, often in the face of obstacles.

went on

A simple and versatile alternative, but can also refer to future events.

proceeded with

This suggests a formal and planned continuation, often after a pause or interruption.

remained in the process of

This alternative emphasizes the ongoing nature of a process or activity.

was in the midst of

This option highlights that the action was ongoing and possibly interrupted.

sustained

This option indicates that something was maintained at the same level or intensity.

never stopped

This alternative indicates that the action was in progress without any interruption.

FAQs

How can I use "was continuing to" in a sentence?

Use "was continuing to" to describe an action that was in progress at a specific point in the past. For example, "Despite the setbacks, the team was continuing to work towards their goal".

What can I say instead of "was continuing to"?

You can use alternatives like "continued to", "kept on", or "persisted in", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "was continue to" instead of "was continuing to"?

No, "was continue to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "was continuing to", which uses the present participle form of the verb to indicate ongoing action.

What's the difference between "was continuing to" and "continued to"?

"Was continuing to" emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action at a specific time in the past, whereas "continued to" simply states that the action occurred without necessarily highlighting its duration or persistence.