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Overusing the word "was"?
In writing articles about a historical subject I tend to use the word "was" a lot. Is this inevitable writing in the past tense or should I try to use the word less?
Comments
I am reading a best selling book at the moment and the was's are getting on my nerves!!
Here's a couple of paragraphs from an article I had published a while back. What suggestions do you have to change the occurrences of "was" where appropriate?
"In 1936 Whittle formed the Power Jets Ltd company and trialled a prototype engine the following year. At that time there was no inevitability of success. Funding required to develop a jet aircraft came from needs of the second world war which drove many technological improvements. Whittle had met with the Gloster company's chief designer, George Carter, who showed interest in making a jet powered aircraft, and so the Air Ministry's contract to build Britain's first jet aircraft was awarded to Gloster.
The first aircraft – a prototype designed by Carter – was small with an air intake in the nose. Officially designated as the Gloster E.29/39, it was also known as the Gloster Whittle, Gloster Pioneer, and Gloster G.40. It first flew from RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire on May 15, 1941. However, a twin engine design with a cruciform tail known as the F.9/40 later became the Gloster Meteor."
Agree with Baggy that in the example you quote I don't find was overused or obtrusive.
"In 1936 Whittle formed the Power Jets Ltd company and trialled a prototype engine the following year. At that time there was no inevitability of success. Funding required to develop a jet aircraft came from needs of the second world war which drove many technological improvements. Whittle had met with the Gloster company's chief designer, George Carter, who showed interest in making a jet powered aircraft, and so the Air Ministry's contract to build Britain's first jet aircraft was awarded to Gloster.
The first aircraft – a prototype designed by Carter – was small with an air intake in the nose. Officially designated as the Gloster E.29/39, it was also known as the Gloster Whittle, Gloster Pioneer, and Gloster G.40. It first flew from RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire on May 15, 1941. However, a twin engine design with a cruciform tail known as the F.9/40 later became the Gloster Meteor."
But it's not obtrusive - you've perhaps become oversensitive about the word 🙂