were being conducted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were being conducted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or events that were ongoing in the past, typically in a passive voice context. Example: "The experiments were being conducted under strict safety protocols to ensure accurate results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Other tests were being conducted.

The New York Times

They were being conducted in English, the police said.

The New York Times

Air quality tests were being conducted every 30 minutes.

The New York Times

The Coast Guard said cleanup operations were being conducted by Kinder Morgan.

The New York Times

By 2014, only a fifth of Swedish retail transactions were being conducted in cash.

The New Yorker

Fifa said "detailed assessments" were being conducted of various regulatory options.

The Guardian - Sport

Firefighter Liscio said the initial diagnosis was food poisoning, but further tests were being conducted.

The New York Times

The raids were being conducted in relation to Strike Force Rhodium, a NSW police spokeswoman said.

The Guardian - Sport

Until 11 August, talks were being conducted in what both sides recognised was a constructive spirit.

The Guardian - Opinion

Forensic examinations were being conducted at the scene and CCTV footage was being looked at.

The Guardian

Warning signs were posted at several beaches, and tests were being conducted to determine whether any hazardous sewage escaped.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were being conducted" to clearly indicate a passive action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. This phrasing is particularly effective when the agent performing the action is unknown or less important than the action itself. Ensure that the context provides a clear understanding of when the action occurred.

Common error

Avoid using "were being conducted" when an active voice is more appropriate or when the timing of the action is unclear. For example, instead of saying "Mistakes were being conducted by the team", a better phrasing would be "The team made mistakes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were being conducted" functions as a passive progressive verb phrase. It indicates an ongoing action in the past performed by an unspecified agent. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

37%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were being conducted" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive progressive verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage, especially in News & Media and Scientific contexts, to describe ongoing actions in the past. When writing, remember that this phrasing is most effective when the focus is on the action rather than the actor. For variations, consider alternatives like "were taking place" or "were carried out" to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were in progress

Focuses on the ongoing state of the actions.

were underway

Emphasizes that the actions had already started.

were taking place

Highlights the occurrence of the actions.

were carried out

Stresses the execution of the actions.

were implemented

Focuses on the application or putting into effect of something.

were performed

Highlights the execution or carrying out of a task or action.

were executed

Emphasizes the planned and deliberate nature of the actions.

were pursued

Indicates the actions were being actively followed or sought after.

were prosecuted

Suggests a legal or formal carrying out of actions.

were activated

Focuses on the beginning of the actions or processes.

FAQs

How do I use "were being conducted" in a sentence?

Use "were being conducted" to describe actions or events that were in progress in the past. For example, "The experiments "were being conducted" under strict supervision."

What are some alternatives to "were being conducted"?

You can use alternatives like "were taking place", "were carried out", or "were underway" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "was being conducted" instead of "were being conducted"?

"Was being conducted" is used with singular subjects, while ""were being conducted"" is used with plural subjects. For example, "The investigation was being conducted" (singular) versus "The investigations "were being conducted"" (plural).

What is the difference between "were being conducted" and "had been conducted"?

"Were being conducted" indicates an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past, while "had been conducted" indicates an action that was completed before a specific time in the past. For example, "The tests "were being conducted" yesterday" versus "The tests "had been conducted" before the meeting".