was covering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was covering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that was ongoing in the past, often in relation to a specific subject or event. Example: "During the meeting, she was covering the latest project updates and addressing any concerns from the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Patterson was covering him.

The New York Times - Sports

Shackleton was covering up.

The New York Times - Books

"I was covering second.

The New York Times - Sports

But he was covering his back.

The Economist

Traister was covering the convention for Salon.

The New York Times - Books

Pam, meanwhile, was covering the rooms upstairs.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Everyone else was covering it..

The New Yorker

Who is covering these bets?

The New Yorker

They were covering their bets.

The New York Times

It's covering you".

The New York Times

"They're covering all their bases".

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was covering" to clearly indicate an ongoing action in the past, whether it's reporting news, concealing information, or providing protection. Ensure the context clarifies what exactly was being covered.

Common error

Avoid using "was covering" without specifying what the subject was covering. Vague usage can confuse readers. Always provide clear context for what is being addressed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was covering" functions as a past continuous verb phrase, indicating an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig's examples show its use in contexts such as reporting news, concealing information, or providing a protective layer.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was covering" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe an action in progress in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from reputable sources, primarily in the news and media domain. The phrase is versatile, suitable for describing reporting, concealing, or protecting, but clarity in context is crucial. When writing, ensure the object of "was covering" is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

covered

This is the past tense of the verb "cover", directly related to the phrase.

were covering

Changes the subject to plural, but maintains the same action and tense.

covered up

Emphasizes the act of concealing or hiding something.

reported on

Focuses on the aspect of journalistic reporting.

was in charge of

Highlights responsibility or oversight.

was responsible for

Similar to "was in charge of", indicating accountability.

was handling

Implies managing or dealing with a situation.

was assigned to

Indicates a formal assignment of duty.

was overseeing

Suggests a supervisory role.

was dealing with

Implies managing or addressing an issue.

FAQs

How can I use "was covering" in a sentence?

You can use "was covering" to describe an action that was ongoing in the past. For example, "The journalist "was covering" the election" or "The blanket "was covering" the sleeping child".

What can I say instead of "was covering"?

You can use alternatives like "covered", "reported on", or "was in charge of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was covering" or "covered"?

Both "was covering" and "covered" can be correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Was covering" implies an ongoing action in the past, while "covered" implies a completed action. For example, "She "was covering" the event live" versus "She covered the event last week".

What's the difference between "was covering up" and "was covering"?

"Was covering" generally means reporting on or dealing with something, while "was covering up" implies concealing or hiding something. The addition of "up" significantly changes the meaning.