were initiating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were initiating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that was in progress in the past, often in a context where something was being started or commenced. Example: "The team members were initiating the project when they received new guidelines from management."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Children and adolescents, 5 18 years of age, with type 1 diabetes duration > 1 year who were initiating insulin pump therapy were randomly assigned to simultaneous initiation of pump therapy and CGM (Simultaneous Group) or to starting standard pump therapy with addition of CGM six months later (Delayed Group).

BMC Pediatrics

These could be interpreted as improvement in cardiovascular outcomes secondary to the decrease cellular activation associated with the initiation of ART, as the majority of the patients in that cohort were initiating potent ART during the observation period.

Plosone

Like any manipulative woman, she made her date feel as if he were initiating everything.

The New York Times

In another section, a woman watches a man spin four strange dials hidden behind a cabinet, as if he were initiating her into a secret world.

The New York Times

The Rolling Bridge opens silently, and the whole process seems almost magical, as if the bridge were initiating the movement itself.

The New Yorker

"Although Apple adjusted certain screens in response and offered refunds, it still failed to notify account holders that by entering their password they were initiating a 15-minute window during which children using the app could incur charges without further action by the account holder," FTC commissioner Maureen Ohlhausen said in a statement.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Serious collection efforts were initiated.

The Economist

What relief efforts were initiated?

The New York Times

And so we were initiated.

The New York Times - Travel

In desperation, fresh talks were initiated.

The Economist

Cobalt treatments were initiated.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were initiating", ensure that the context clearly indicates the beginning of an action or process. It's especially effective when emphasizing the early stages of a project, therapy, or change.

Common error

Overusing "were initiating" can make your writing sound overly formal or stilted. If "were starting" or "began" conveys the same meaning, opt for the simpler option to maintain clarity and readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were initiating" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action that was in progress in the past. It combines the past continuous form of the verb "to be" with the present participle of "initiate", highlighting the process of beginning something. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

29%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were initiating" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that describes the act of beginning something in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's common in scientific and news contexts. While alternatives like "were starting" or "were beginning" exist, "were initiating" often brings a more formal or technical tone. When writing, it's best to use it when emphasizing the process of starting something but to avoid overuse to maintain clarity and readability. Its frequent use in science and news media confirms its versatility and acceptance in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were beginning

This alternative directly replaces "initiating" with "beginning", maintaining a very similar meaning but with a slightly less formal tone.

were starting

Similar to "were beginning", this option uses "starting", which is even more informal and common in everyday language.

were commencing

This option uses "commencing", which is a more formal and often more official-sounding alternative to "initiating".

were launching

Implies a more deliberate and public start, like a project or campaign. It suggests a higher level of planning and execution.

were undertaking

Suggests a more serious or complex endeavor is being started, implying a commitment and significant effort.

were instigating

Implies causing something to happen, often with a negative connotation. It suggests a more forceful or influential start.

were triggering

This alternative implies that they were setting off a chain of events or a reaction, often suddenly.

were activating

Suggests making something operational or functional, focusing on bringing something into a state of activity.

were pioneering

Indicates they were the first to start something, often in an innovative or exploratory way.

were embarking on

Conveys a sense of beginning a journey or adventure, often with an uncertain outcome or a significant challenge.

FAQs

How can I use "were initiating" in a sentence?

The phrase "were initiating" describes the act of beginning something. For example, "The scientists "were initiating" a new phase of research" or "The company executives "were initiating" a major marketing campaign".

What are some alternatives to "were initiating"?

You can use alternatives like "were starting", "were beginning", or "were commencing", depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "were initiating" in formal writing?

Yes, "were initiating" is suitable for formal writing, especially when you want to emphasize the process of starting something. However, ensure the context warrants the more formal tone; simpler alternatives like "were starting" may be more appropriate in less formal contexts.

What's the difference between "were initiating" and "had initiated"?

"Were initiating" describes an action that was in progress in the past, while "had initiated" describes an action that was completed before a certain point in the past. For instance, "They "were initiating" the project when the funding was cut" versus "They "had initiated" the project before the new CEO arrived".