were being sent

USAGE SUMMARY

'were being sent' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when talking about an action that started in the past and is still happening or when talking about an incomplete action at a specific moment in the past. For example, "Yesterday, reports were being sent to the regional headquarters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Both packages were being sent to Austin as well.

The New York Times

They were being sent to Russia to be destroyed.

The New Yorker

Victims' relatives were being sent to a crisis center.

The New York Times

Mr. Salomao said the military advisers were being sent immediately.

The New York Times

They were being sent to Catholic boarding schools.

The New Yorker

Another 57 were visa overstayers who were being sent home.

The Guardian

More ambulances were being sent in by the authorities.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

What publicity stills are being sent out?

The New York Times

The material is being sent for analysis.

Independent

"On the contrary, reinforcements are being sent".

Independent

It's being sent automatically.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were being sent", ensure the subject is plural to match the verb conjugation. For example, "Reports were being sent", not "A report were being sent".

Common error

Avoid using "were being sent" with singular subjects. The correct form for a singular subject is "was being sent". For example, it should be "The package was being sent", not "The package were being sent".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were being sent" functions as a passive past continuous verb form. It indicates an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. The phrase highlights that the subject was receiving the action of sending, rather than initiating it.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were being sent" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a past action in progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in various contexts, particularly in news and media. Its passive voice emphasizes the receiver of the action rather than the sender. Common alternatives include "were being transmitted" and "were being dispatched", though "were being sent" maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. Remember to use it with plural subjects and avoid confusion with the singular form "was being sent". Consider using "were being sent" when the sender is not important, the focus is on the objects involved in the action or the receivers of these objects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were in the process of being dispatched

Replaces "sent" with a longer phrase emphasizing the ongoing process of dispatching.

were being forwarded

Replaces "sent" with "forwarded", suggesting the items were passed on from an intermediate point.

were being transmitted

Substitutes "sent" with "transmitted", implying a more technical or digital form of sending.

were getting shipped

Uses "getting shipped" as a more informal alternative to "were being sent".

were under delivery

Implies that items are currently under a delivery procedure.

were in transit

Replaces the entire phrase with a shorter one, focusing on the state of being in transit rather than the action of sending.

were en route

A more formal and concise alternative to "were on their way", indicating something is on its designated path.

were on their way

A more colloquial alternative indicating movement towards a destination, rather than the act of sending.

were slated for dispatch

Shifts focus to the planning stage, emphasizing the intended dispatch rather than the actual sending.

were programmed to be broadcast

Modifies the meaning to broadcasting but retains the passive voice and the idea of something being directed outwards.

FAQs

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

Use "were being sent" to describe a past action in which a plural subject was the recipient of the action. For example, "The letters "were being sent" to the wrong address".

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

You can use alternatives like "were being transmitted", "were being dispatched", or "were in transit" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "were being sent" or "was being sent"?

"Were being sent" is correct for plural subjects, while "was being sent" is correct for singular subjects. For example, "The emails "were being sent"" (plural) vs. "The email "was being sent"" (singular).

What's the difference between "were being sent" and "are being sent"?

"Were being sent" refers to a past action, while "are being sent" refers to a present action. For example, "The documents "were being sent" last week" (past) vs. "The documents "are being sent" now" (present).