Question

is it correct English to say that I was kidding

Answer 1

Yes — "I was kidding" is correct English. It’s an informal way to say that something you said earlier was intended as a joke or not to be taken seriously.

Notes and alternatives:
- Tense/meaning: "I was kidding" (past continuous) is used to explain or apologize for a previous remark.
Example: "I didn't mean that — I was kidding."
- More immediate/brief: "Just kidding" or "I'm kidding" is used right after a joke to indicate you weren’t serious.
- Slightly more formal alternatives: "I was joking," "I didn't mean it," or "I didn't mean to offend you."

So use "I was kidding" in casual speech to clarify a past remark; for formal situations, choose a less colloquial phrasing.