were being given

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were being given" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that was ongoing in the past, particularly when referring to something that was provided or offered to someone. Example: "The instructions were being given to the students when the fire alarm went off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They were being given away.

The New York Times - Arts

All were being given rabies vaccine and immunoglobulins.

The New York Times - Health

An agency spokeswoman said no interviews on bioterrorism were being given.

The New York Times - Science

The article also mentioned that some nannies were being given access to these vehicles.

The New York Times

"It felt like we were being given a compliment we didn't deserve".

The Guardian - Music

Bodies were being given numbers and a file made of possessions found nearby.

The Guardian

Children were being given "measured amounts of approved learning that bears little relation to their needs".

The Guardian

The tests were being given in a residential neighborhood not far from there.

The New Yorker

Lane Fox recalls going to see a group of pensioners who were being given computer training.

The Guardian - Tech

On any given day in an Australian hospital, 38.4% of patients were being given an antibiotic.

The Guardian - Opinion

But he said councils were being given stronger enforcement powers to stop unauthorised sites being established.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were being given" to clearly indicate an ongoing process in the past when something was being provided or offered. This emphasizes the duration of the action.

Common error

Avoid using "were being given" when a simple past passive form ("were given") is more appropriate. Use the continuous form only when the ongoing nature of the giving is relevant to the sentence's meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were being given" functions as a passive progressive construction. It indicates that the subject of the sentence was receiving something, and the action of giving was ongoing in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically sound construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were being given" is a grammatically correct and very common passive progressive construction used to describe an ongoing action of providing something in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts and serves to emphasize the continuous nature of the giving. While versatile, it's important to distinguish its meaning from the simple past passive ("were given"). Use "were being given" when the ongoing nature of the action is relevant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were provided with

A more direct alternative, highlighting the act of providing.

were supplied with

Emphasizes the act of supplying or furnishing.

were granted

Indicates a more official or formal provision of something.

were issued

Implies an official or formal distribution.

were dispensed

Implies a careful or measured distribution.

were in receipt of

Replaces "being given" with a more formal phrase indicating reception of something.

were awarded

Indicates recognition or merit in receiving something.

were allocated

Suggests a specific portion or share was assigned.

were conferred upon

Similar to "bestowed upon", but often used in academic or honorary contexts.

were bestowed upon

A more literary and formal way of saying something was given.

FAQs

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

Use "were being given" to describe a continuous action in the past where something was in the process of being provided. For example: "The instructions "were being given" as the event started".

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

You can use alternatives like "were provided with", "were granted", or "were issued" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "were being given" or "were given"?

Both are correct, but they have different meanings. "Were being given" indicates a continuous action in the past, while "were given" indicates a completed action. Choose the one that best fits the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "were being given" and "had been given"?

"Were being given" describes an ongoing action in the past. "Had been given" describes an action completed before another point in the past. For example: They "were being given" instructions when the manager arrived. They had already "been given" instructions before the manager arrived.