were getting underway

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were getting underway" is not correct as it should be "we're getting underway" or "were getting underway" depending on the context.
You can use it when indicating that an event or process is starting or beginning to take place. Example: "As the sun rose, we were getting underway with our journey across the lake."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Then, just as the recording sessions with producer Scott Hendricks were getting underway at the end of 1994, something went wrong with her voice.

The Washington Post

Cameron said Rollins pulled out a semiautomatic Glock handgun in Hallway F as classes were getting underway at 7 55 a.m.

The Washington Post

Just as Dr. Kogan's efforts were getting underway, Mr. Mercer agreed to invest $15 million in a joint venture with SCL's elections division.

The New York Times

Most of those killed as classes were getting underway at Santa Fe High School were students looking forward to the start of summer.

The Washington Post

In February, as the Selma protests were getting underway, Senator Strom Thurmond, the South Carolina segregationist, complained that King had "more access to the White House than just about anyone in this country".

The New Yorker

Even before Carpathia arrived in New York, efforts were getting underway to retrieve the dead.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Games are getting underway around the league.

The Guardian - Sport

Cherries are ripe and soft and harvests are getting underway.

Cornell University

An arts festival is getting underway on two downtown blocks.

The Washington Post

A press conference is getting underway in Brussels - it will be streamed here.

The Guardian - Business

The effort was "riddled with problems as it's getting underway," USA Today reported.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were getting underway", ensure the subject clearly indicates what is commencing or progressing. For instance, "Preparations were getting underway for the event."

Common error

Avoid using "were getting underway" with a singular subject. Ensure the subject is plural to maintain grammatical correctness. For example, instead of "The project were getting underway", use "The projects were getting underway".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were getting underway" functions as a dynamic verb phrase, indicating that actions or processes were in the initial stages of development or progression. Ludwig AI's examples show the phrase commonly used to describe the commencement of events, activities, or preparations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were getting underway" is a phrase used to describe the initial stages of an event or activity, indicating that it was in the process of starting. Although Ludwig AI notes that the grammatical correctness of the phrase is debatable, it is commonly found in various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure proper subject-verb agreement and consider alternatives like "were commencing" or "were beginning" depending on the desired nuance. Despite some grammatical concerns, the phrase remains a common way to convey the commencement of an action or event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were beginning

A simpler and more direct way of expressing the start.

were commencing

Focuses on a more formal commencement.

were initiating

Emphasizes the starting action of something.

were kicking off

Offers a more informal and energetic sense of beginning.

were starting up

Highlights the initial operational phase.

were taking off

Implies a rapid or successful beginning.

were in the process of starting

More verbose, indicating a state of beginning.

were being launched

Implies a formal or significant beginning.

were proceeding

Focuses on the forward movement after the start.

were moving forward

Highlights progress and advancement.

FAQs

What's the correct way to use "were getting underway" in a sentence?

Use "were getting underway" to indicate that multiple entities or activities are beginning or progressing. For example, "The negotiations "were getting underway" smoothly".

What can I say instead of "were getting underway"?

You can use alternatives like "were commencing", "were initiating", or "were beginning" depending on the context.

Is "was getting underway" grammatically correct?

Yes, "was getting underway" is grammatically correct when used with a singular subject, while ""were getting underway"" is used with plural subjects. For example, "The project was getting underway".

How does "were getting underway" differ from "are getting underway"?

"Were getting underway" refers to a past action or process that was starting, while "are getting underway" indicates a present action that is currently starting.