were being assessed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were being assessed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where an ongoing evaluation or judgment is taking place in the past. Example: "The students were being assessed on their understanding of the material during the exam week."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They were being assessed twice, first within two weeks of receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy and second assessment was performed three months after the first assessment.

BMC Cancer

Potential agents were being assessed by officials who had no firsthand experience in covert operations.

The New Yorker

Mr. Miller said that damages were being assessed and that more fatalities and injuries were possible.

The New York Times

TfL board papers revealed that the air-cooling systems were being assessed with the aiming of "improving comfort".

The Guardian

Other towns are getting subsidies as well, for fossil fuel generating plants that are suddenly valued at much less than they were being assessed.

The New York Times

Martina McBride wrote a lengthy post on Facebook, asking, "Did you girls (core female listeners) know you were being "assessed" in this way?

The Guardian - Music

In those first exhausted hours, while her wounds were being assessed (one was infected and needed an operation), she struggled to engage emotionally with what had happened.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"The allegation has been recorded and is being assessed".

The Guardian

The size of her claim is being assessed.

The Guardian

By next spring, 10,000 people will be being assessed every week.

The Guardian

A Department of the Environment spokeswoman said: "This application is being assessed and a decision is expected shortly".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were being assessed" when you want to convey that a formal evaluation or judgment was actively in progress at a specific time in the past. This construction emphasizes the ongoing nature of the evaluation.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice constructions like "were being assessed" if an active voice would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The students were being assessed by the teacher", consider "The teacher assessed the students".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were being assessed" functions as a verb phrase indicating an ongoing action in the past. It is a passive construction, denoting that the subject received the action of assessment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were being assessed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It conveys an ongoing action of evaluation in the past. Commonly found in scientific and news contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse writing styles. For alternative expressions, consider "were under evaluation" or "were being evaluated". When writing, prioritize clarity by occasionally opting for active voice constructions, where appropriate, to avoid overuse of the passive form. The phrase's widespread use and clear meaning make it a reliable choice in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were under evaluation

Emphasizes the process of evaluation rather than the specific act of assessment.

were being evaluated

A direct synonym, replacing "assessed" with "evaluated" for similar meaning.

were undergoing scrutiny

Suggests a more detailed and potentially critical examination.

were subject to review

Highlights the formal process of reviewing something.

were in the process of being judged

Focuses on the act of judgment being carried out.

were up for consideration

Indicates something is being taken into account or deliberated upon.

were being checked

Implies a simpler form of evaluation, like verification.

were being inspected

Suggests a visual or physical examination is taking place.

were going through testing

Focuses on a testing phase, often implying a performance or quality check.

were facing appraisal

Highlights the formal evaluation of performance or value.

FAQs

How can I use "were being assessed" in a sentence?

Use "were being assessed" to describe an ongoing evaluation in the past. For instance, "The patients "were being assessed" for their suitability for the new treatment program".

What can I say instead of "were being assessed"?

You can use alternatives like "were under evaluation", "were being evaluated", or "were undergoing scrutiny" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "were being assessed"?

While "were being assessed" (passive) is grammatically correct, active voice can be more direct. For example, instead of "The houses "were being assessed" by the inspectors", you could say "The inspectors assessed the houses".

What's the difference between "were assessed" and "were being assessed"?

"Were assessed" implies a completed action, while ""were being assessed"" indicates an ongoing process of evaluation in the past. The latter emphasizes the duration of the assessment.