were underway

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were underway" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has started or is in progress, often in the context of projects, events, or journeys. Example: "The preparations for the conference were underway when the unexpected storm hit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He denies that discussions were underway.

The Guardian

Beyond the row of ramshackle cafes, football matches were underway.

The Guardian - Travel

Discussions with its insurer were underway, it said.

The Guardian

Rescue operations were underway to pull survivors from the water.

The New York Times

Police confirmed raids were underway at businesses in the CBD, Woollahra and Leichhardt on Thursday morning.

The Guardian - Sport

The Scottish government said the revised EU rules were released after its NPD projects were underway.

The Guardian

Most students had left for the summer, but research projects and summer camps were underway.

Princeton University

In 2010, field projects were underway in Peru, New Mexico, England, Jordan, and Turkey.

Stanford University

Mr. Samore helped establish the organization in 2008, well before serious nuclear talks were underway.

The New York Times

Nearby, preparations were underway for a new yoga class, starting in a week.

The New York Times

That would suggest that at least three separate Russian cyberoperations were underway simultaneously.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were underway" to clearly indicate that a process, project, or event has commenced and is currently in progress. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "were underway" to describe future events. This phrase indicates that something is already happening, so ensure your sentence accurately reflects the timeline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were underway" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that an action, process, or event was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from rescue operations to negotiations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

16%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were underway" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe actions or processes that were in progress at a specific point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, including news reports, academic writing, and general communication. While alternatives like "were in progress" and "were happening" exist, "were underway" offers a concise and clear way to convey that something was actively taking place. Remember to avoid using this phrase for future events and ensure subject-verb agreement for grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were in progress

Replaces 'underway' with 'in progress', maintaining the sense of ongoing activity but with a slightly more formal tone.

were happening

Substitutes 'underway' with 'happening', indicating that events were taking place.

were proceeding

Uses 'proceeding' instead of 'underway', suggesting a more structured or planned progression.

had begun

Emphasizes the start of an activity, replacing the continuous aspect of 'underway' with a completed action.

were initiated

Focuses on the commencement of something, suggesting a formal or official start.

were being carried out

Highlights the execution of a task or plan, offering a more descriptive alternative.

were in motion

Implies movement or activity, replacing 'underway' with a more dynamic image.

were operative

Suggests functionality or effectiveness, differing from the general progress implied by 'underway'.

were afoot

Emphasizes that something is secretly going on or is about to happen.

were brewing

Indicates that something is developing or about to emerge, adding an element of anticipation.

FAQs

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

The phrase "were underway" indicates that something was in progress. For example, "The negotiations "were underway" to resolve the conflict peacefully".

What can I say instead of "were underway"?

You can use alternatives like "were in progress", "were happening", or "had begun" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "was underway" instead of "were underway"?

No, "was underway" should be used with singular subjects, while "were underway" is correct for plural subjects or when referring to something in the past continuous tense. For example, "The project was underway" versus "The projects "were underway"".

What is the difference between "were underway" and "were completed"?

"Were underway" indicates that something was in progress at a particular time, while "were completed" means that something was finished. The former suggests an ongoing action, and the latter indicates a finalized action.