was receiving assistance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was receiving assistance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone was in the process of getting help or support at a specific time in the past. Example: "During the meeting, she was receiving assistance from her colleagues to finalize the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The state-run regional TV station was receiving assistance from Cuba and Brazil state TV networks and from the governments of Argentina and Uruguay.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

They are receiving assistance from local oil experts as these facilities are assessed.

The New York Times

For the first time, he is receiving assistance at his condominium in nearby Alexandria, Va.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We had a kid who had been receiving assistance for diabetes," she told me.

The New York Times - Magazine

She has been receiving assistance from her local MP, Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh.

The Guardian

The force has been receiving assistance from the Crown Prosecution Service after making a request for advice in December.

The Guardian

If you are receiving assistance from the government, then the government should be able to decide what you receive.

The New York Times

Mr. Ivanov has charged that the rebels were receiving assistance from foreign sources but has not specified who they are.

The New York Times

Which is not to say the government has not been receiving assistance to fight the disease's spread.

The New York Times

That families, vulnerable people, pregnant women, tiny babies and unborn babies are forced to risk their lives in the Mediterranean Sea when they should be receiving assistance and protection".

The Guardian

Local officials are receiving assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's urban search and rescue incident support team, which has more than 1,000 personnel deployed across Virginia and the Carolinas.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was receiving assistance", ensure the context clearly indicates the source and nature of the help being provided to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "was receiving assistance" without specifying who provided the assistance or what type of assistance was given. Lack of detail can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was receiving assistance" functions as a verb phrase indicating that someone or something was in the process of being helped or supported. It highlights the ongoing nature of the assistance at a specific point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was receiving assistance" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to describe the act of being helped or supported in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts ranging from news reports to scientific publications. While broadly applicable, it’s best practice to specify who provided the assistance and what type of help was given. Closely related phrases include "was being helped" and "was getting support", offering alternative ways to convey similar meanings. Understanding the subtle differences in connotation and formality allows for more precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was being aided

Replaces 'receiving assistance' with 'being aided', emphasizing the act of being helped.

was being helped

A simpler and more direct alternative using 'helped' instead of 'assistance'.

was getting support

Uses 'support' as a synonym for 'assistance', focusing on the provision of aid.

was being supported

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the support being provided.

was obtaining assistance

Replaces 'receiving' with 'obtaining', highlighting the act of acquiring help.

was benefiting from assistance

Focuses on the positive outcome of receiving help.

had access to help

Highlights the availability of support rather than the act of receiving it.

was under the care of

Indicates a more comprehensive and ongoing support system.

was provisioned with support

More formal, emphasizing the providing of support.

was the beneficiary of assistance

Highlights the person as the one who benefits from the help.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was receiving assistance"?

You can use alternatives like "was being helped", "was getting support", or "was being aided" depending on the context.

Is "was receiving assistance" formal or informal?

The phrase "was receiving assistance" is generally considered neutral and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The formality often depends on the surrounding language and the specific situation.

What's the difference between "was receiving assistance" and "received assistance"?

"Was receiving assistance" implies an ongoing process in the past, while "received assistance" suggests a completed action. For instance, "He was receiving assistance during the project" indicates help throughout, whereas "He received assistance to complete the project" implies help given at some point.

Can I use "was receiving assistance" in academic writing?

Yes, "was receiving assistance" is perfectly acceptable in academic writing. Ensure that the context is clear and that you cite any sources that provided the assistance, if applicable.