was increasing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was increasing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or quantity that is growing or becoming larger over a period of time in the past. Example: "The temperature was increasing steadily throughout the day, leading to a warm evening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His weight was increasing.

The Guardian - Books

Political pressure was increasing.

The Guardian

At the same time, competition was increasing.

The New York Times

Our sales volume was increasing steadily.

The New York Times

The number, it said, was increasing rapidly.

The Economist

Our work was increasing exponentially.

The Guardian - Opinion

But it was increasing every year.

The Guardian

My sense of cunning was increasing.

The New Yorker

That explained why the population of dark moths was increasing.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Hua was increasing marginalized in this new order.

The New York Times

Gilani warned that India was increasing its role in Afghanistan.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was increasing" to describe a process of growth or augmentation that occurred over a period of time in the past. For example, "The demand for renewable energy was increasing rapidly."

Common error

Avoid using "was increasing" to describe a state that is currently happening. Use "is increasing" instead. For example, instead of "The demand was increasing now", write "The demand is increasing now".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was increasing" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It typically describes an ongoing process of growth, augmentation, or intensification. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

23%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was increasing" is a verb phrase in the past continuous tense used to describe an ongoing process of growth or augmentation in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. When writing, remember to use it for past continuous actions and consider alternatives like "was growing" or "was rising" for variety. Avoid using it to describe current states. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its versatile application across various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was growing

Focuses on the natural development or expansion of something.

was rising

Implies an upward movement or escalation in quantity or level.

was escalating

Suggests a rapid and potentially dangerous increase.

was expanding

Emphasizes the broadening or widening of something.

was augmenting

Highlights the act of adding to something to enhance its value or effect.

was intensifying

Indicates a strengthening or heightening of something, often an emotion or force.

was surging

Suggests a sudden and powerful increase.

was amplifying

Implies an increase in the magnitude or intensity of a signal or sound.

was swelling

Evokes a gradual increase in size or volume, often due to internal pressure.

was accumulating

Focuses on the gradual gathering or building up of something over time.

FAQs

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

Use "was increasing" to describe a past continuous action that showed growth or augmentation. For example, "The company's profits "were increasing" steadily last year".

What are some alternatives to using "was increasing"?

You can use alternatives such as "was growing", "was rising", or "was escalating" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is increasing" instead of "was increasing"?

The correct tense depends on the timeframe you are referring to. Use "is increasing" for present continuous actions and "was increasing" for past continuous actions. Consider using "has been increasing" for present perfect continuous.

What's the difference between "was increasing" and "increased"?

"Was increasing" describes a continuous process in the past, while "increased" indicates a completed action in the past. For example, "The price "was increasing" gradually" versus "The price "increased" suddenly".