were being made

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were being made" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an ongoing action in the past. For example: "Changes to the design were being made throughout the entire process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Preparations were being made.

The New York Times

But exceptions were being made.

The New York Times - Health

"Uncomfortable cuts were being made," she said.

The New York Times

No announcements were being made.

The New Yorker

Preparations were being made for a recount.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Accusations were being made," Senator Lawson said.

The New York Times - Health

He said preparations were being made for a meeting.

The New York Times

Arrangements were being made yesterday to fly the bodies home.

The Guardian

"I didn't think proper decisions were being made for me".

The New York Times

Plans for a military memorial service were being made.

The New York Times

Provisions were being made for new panzer divisions.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were being made", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is performing the action, even if it's implied. This helps maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity in passive voice constructions.

Common error

Overusing passive voice can make your writing sound weak and unclear. While "were being made" is grammatically correct, be mindful of whether it's the most direct and impactful way to express your idea. Consider rephrasing to active voice when appropriate to enhance clarity and engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were being made" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous passive voice. It indicates an ongoing action or process that was happening at some point in the past. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically sound and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

17%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were being made" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase in English, serving to describe ongoing actions in the past. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is perfectly valid.

Its primary function is to convey that something was in the process of being created, developed, or prepared. It commonly appears in News & Media, Academic, and Encyclopedia sources, indicating its broad applicability across different registers. While generally neutral in tone, careful attention should be paid to the context to ensure clear and impactful communication. Alternatives such as "were in development" or "were under construction" can provide nuanced variations, enhancing the precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were being developed

Similar to "were in development" but emphasizes the action of developing.

were in the process of being created

Emphasizes the ongoing process of creation, highlighting the duration and development.

were being built

Focuses on the act of building or assembling something.

were under construction

Focuses on the building or assembling aspect, suitable for contexts involving physical construction or development.

were in development

Highlights the phase of development, often used in technology or project management contexts.

were getting prepared

Emphasizes the preparatory actions being taken.

were in preparation

Highlights that things were in a state of readiness.

were getting ready

Similar to "were getting prepared" but can also imply anticipation or excitement.

were underway

Indicates that something had started and was progressing.

were taking place

Focuses on the occurrence or happening of events or actions.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "were being made" to use active voice?

To use active voice, identify the actor and make it the subject of the sentence. For example, instead of "Decisions "were being made"," you could say "The committee made the decisions."

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

"Were being made" indicates an ongoing action in the past, while "had been made" indicates an action completed before another point in the past. For example, "Repairs "were being made" while the investigation continued," versus "The repairs "had been made" before the investigation began."

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

It depends on the context. Passive voice is useful when the actor is unknown or unimportant, or when you want to emphasize the action itself. However, active voice is generally more direct and engaging. Using passive voice with phrases like ""were being made"" too often can result in a writing style that feels weak.

What are some alternatives to ""were being made"" for a more formal tone?

In formal writing, consider alternatives such as "were under development", "were in the process of creation", or "were undergoing construction" for a more sophisticated tone.