was under way

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was under way" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is in progress or currently happening. Example: "The project was under way when the funding was unexpectedly cut."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The cycle was under way.

The New York Times - Books

An investigation was under way.

The New Yorker

The tour was under way.

The New York Times

He was under way.

The Guardian - Sport

But a shift was under way.

The New York Times - Arts

The extreme-beer era was under way.

The New Yorker

They assumed a recovery was under way.

The New York Times

An investigation was under way, they said.

The New York Times

A new student election was under way.

The New York Times - Magazine

A superb match was under way.

The New York Times

The word-based task was under way.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was under way" to clearly indicate that a process, event, or action has started and is currently in progress. It provides a sense of activity and development.

Common error

Avoid using "was under way" to describe events that have not yet started. This phrase indicates something that has already begun, not something about to start.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was under way" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that an action, event, or process had already commenced and was in progress at a specific point in the past. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is both correct and frequently used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was under way" is a grammatically sound and highly prevalent expression used to denote that an activity or process had started and was progressing at a specific point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and useful phrase, predominantly found in News & Media contexts. Alternatives such as "had begun" or "was in progress" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with past tense contexts and avoid confusion with future events. It's most suitable for neutral registers, providing a clear indication of ongoing activity in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was in progress

Focuses on the ongoing nature of the activity.

was ongoing

Highlights the continuous aspect of the action.

had begun

A more general term for the start of something.

was happening

A more informal way to describe something in progress.

was in motion

Suggests that something has been initiated and is active.

had commenced

Emphasizes the formal start of something.

had been initiated

Highlights the formal beginning or launch of something.

was rolling

Implies a continuous and perhaps unstoppable process.

was unfolding

Suggests that events were gradually revealing themselves.

was afoot

An idiom that conveys something is secretly in development or planned.

FAQs

What does "was under way" mean?

"Was under way" means that something had started and was in progress. It indicates that an event, process, or activity had begun and was ongoing.

What are some alternatives to "was under way"?

You can use phrases like "was in progress", "had begun", or "was ongoing" as alternatives to "was under way" depending on the context.

How do I use "was under way" in a sentence?

You can use "was under way" to describe an activity that had already started. For example, "The investigation was under way when new evidence surfaced."

Is "under way" the same as "underway"?

Yes, "under way" and "underway" are often used interchangeably, but "under way" is the more common and widely accepted form. "Underway" as a single word is more common in nautical contexts or as a modifier.