was working

USAGE SUMMARY

"was working" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a past action. Example: I was working late last night and didn't get home until after midnight.

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

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Its formula is H2NCONH2.

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Top speed is 253mph.

Forbes

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WikiHow

She was 41; Yeats was 43.

Independent

He was 14; she was 21.

The New York Times - Arts

Cynthia was 6 and Meg was 3 1/2.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was working" to describe an ongoing action in the past. For instance, "She was working on her thesis all night" emphasizes the duration of the activity.

Common error

Avoid using "was working" when a simple past tense is more appropriate. For example, use "She worked on her thesis" instead of "She was working on her thesis" if you're only stating the fact that she worked on it, not emphasizing the duration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was working" functions as the past continuous tense of the verb "work". It describes an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. It expresses an activity or state that continued for a period of time.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was working" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate an action in progress in the past. As stated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English. While no specific examples were found in the provided data, the phrase is widely accepted and understood. It's essential to use it appropriately to convey the intended meaning of a continuous action in the past. Consider alternatives like "was employed" or "was engaged in" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was employed

Replaces "working" with a more formal term, emphasizing the state of being employed.

was engaged in

Highlights involvement in a specific task or activity.

was occupied with

Focuses on the state of being busy with a particular task.

was laboring

Emphasizes the effort and exertion involved in the work.

was on duty

Specifically refers to being at work and responsible for certain tasks.

was functioning

Describes performing duties or tasks.

was active

Highlights the general state of being engaged in activities, including work.

was in the process of

Indicates being in the middle of performing a task.

spent time working

Specifies that time was dedicated to working.

devoted effort to

Focuses on the dedication and effort put into the work.

FAQs

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

Use "was working" to describe an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. For instance, "I was working on a project when the power went out."

What's the difference between "was working" and "worked"?

"Was working" implies a continuous action in the past, while "worked" simply states that the action occurred. For example, "I "worked" yesterday" states a fact, while "I was working yesterday" suggests a longer duration.

What are some alternatives to "was working"?

Alternatives include "was employed", "was engaged in", or "was occupied with" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I was working at home"?

Yes, "I was working at home" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe working from a home location during a particular time.