was drafting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was drafting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that was in progress in the past, typically related to writing or creating a document. Example: "Yesterday, I was drafting the report for our upcoming meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He said he was drafting legislation to create a fund for such donations.

The New York Times

Microsoft, meanwhile, was drafting letters and presenting talking points to interest groups about the issue.

The New York Times

Senator Snowe said she was drafting an amendment to protect employers.

The New York Times

Speaker Silver was drafting a bill that would retain most elements of mayoral school control.

The New Yorker

Zardari said that government was drafting legislation to give the Balochis more autonomy and political control.

The Guardian

A spokesman for Khan said the mayor's office was drafting a statement.

The Guardian

To keep the girls quiet, she would have them read the projects she was drafting.

The New York Times

Joanna Lowry, a spokeswoman for UPN, said the network was drafting scripts for its messages.

The New York Times

Mr. Israel said that his office was drafting legislation, but that he was not optimistic.

The New York Times

I was drafting Bill when a slower rider meandered into his path.

The New York Times - Health

"I was drafting friends in but we still couldn't make them fast enough.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was drafting" when you want to emphasize the preliminary nature of writing or creating something. It implies that the work is not yet finished or finalized.

Common error

Avoid using "was drafting" when you actually mean the work was being finalized or completed. "Drafting" indicates an ongoing process of creation, not a finished state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was drafting" functions as a past continuous verb phrase, indicating an action of creating a preliminary version of something that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in contexts such as legislation, reports, and statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Was drafting" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe an ongoing action of creating a preliminary version of something in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using "was drafting", it's important to emphasize that the action was in progress and not yet completed. Consider alternatives like "was writing" or "was composing" depending on the desired nuance. Remember, the phrase suggests that the work is still in progress and hasn't reached its final form.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was composing

Replaces "drafting" with "composing", emphasizing the act of creating a written piece.

was writing

A more general term for creating text; less specific than "drafting".

was preparing

Focuses on the act of getting something ready, which can include drafting.

was formulating

Emphasizes the process of developing a plan or strategy.

was drawing up

Suggests the creation of a formal document or plan.

was sketching out

Similar to drafting, but more often used for visual or preliminary plans.

was outlining

Focuses on creating a structured framework before adding details.

was creating

A broader term; "drafting" is a specific type of creating.

was fashioning

Implies shaping or molding something, often with care.

was devising

Highlights the inventive or creative aspect of planning.

FAQs

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

You can use "was drafting" to describe the action of creating a preliminary version of something, like "She "was drafting" a proposal for the new project".

What are some alternatives to "was drafting"?

Alternatives include "was writing", "was composing", or "was preparing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was drafting" or should I use another tense?

"Was drafting" is correct for describing an action in progress in the past. The choice of tense depends on the specific timeline and context you want to describe.

What's the difference between "was drafting" and "drafted"?

"Was drafting" implies an ongoing action in the past, while "drafted" indicates a completed action in the past. For example, "She "was drafting" the letter all morning" versus "She drafted the letter yesterday".