was under construction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was under construction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a physical structure or project that is currently being built or renovated. Example: "The bridge was under construction for several months, causing significant traffic delays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The.gif stagnated for a while, performing some pretty mundane tasks like informing people that a site was UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

Vice

Pylos was under construction.

The New York Times

He while the house was under construction.

The New Yorker

The tomb was under construction in 1893.

The New York Times

It seemed that a conference room was under construction.

The New Yorker

The men approached from the back, across a sidewalk that was under construction.

The New York Times

Like many Swan owners, Watson traveled to Finland while Neva -- his second Swan -- was under construction.

The New York Times - Sports

Soon, its second supertunnel project, and its first on the West Coast, was under construction.

The New Yorker

While the ship was under construction, Brazil decided to sel it.

The New Yorker

At the time this part of the community, Valencia Shores, was under construction.

The New York Times - Travel

The Yale Center for British Art was under construction in New Haven.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was under construction" to clearly indicate that a physical structure or system was in the process of being built at a specific point in the past. This phrase is suitable for describing buildings, roads, or infrastructure projects.

Common error

Avoid using "is under construction" when referring to a past event. The correct form to describe a past state of building is "was under construction". For example, instead of "The building is under construction last year", say "The building "was under construction" last year".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was under construction" functions as a descriptive phrase, specifically an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It indicates a past state of building or development. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was under construction" is a grammatically sound and frequently used way to describe that something was in the process of being built at a particular point in the past. As verified by Ludwig AI, its usage spans diverse contexts, including News & Media, encyclopedias and scientific documentation, although is most commonly found in journalistic sources. To ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity, always use the correct tense and consider alternative phrasing like "was being built" or "was in development" to tailor your message effectively. Remember that while the phrase is versatile, using the past tense "was" is essential when talking about a past state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was being built

Focuses on the action of building rather than the state of being in construction.

was undergoing construction

More formal and emphasizes the process.

was in the process of being built

More explicitly states the action is ongoing.

construction was underway

Rephrases to emphasize that the action has started and is progressing.

was in development

Broader term that applies to non-physical projects as well.

was being erected

Emphasizes the vertical aspect of the construction.

building work was in progress

Focuses on the work being done, using a more British English phrasing.

was taking shape

Focuses on the gradual formation of something.

was getting built

More informal way of saying "was being built".

was in the making

Highlights the creation aspect and can apply to abstract concepts.

FAQs

How can I use "was under construction" in a sentence?

You can use "was under construction" to describe a structure or project that /s/was+being+built at a certain time in the past. For example, "The bridge "was under construction" during the summer of 2020."

What's the difference between "was under construction" and /s/is+being+built?

"Was under construction" indicates that the construction occurred in the past. "Is being built" describes a current, ongoing construction activity. For example, "The new library "was under construction" last year" versus "The new library /s/is+being+built right now".

What can I say instead of "was under construction"?

Alternatives include /s/was+being+built, /s/was+in+development, or /s/was+undergoing+construction, depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it correct to say "was under construction"?

Yes, it's correct. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase "was under construction" is grammatically correct and usable in written English to describe something that was being built.