I was major

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was major" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be an attempt to convey that someone was a major in a specific field of study, but it lacks clarity and completeness. Example: "In college, I was a major in biology, which helped shape my career path."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I used to joke that I was majoring in my boyfriend.

The New York Times

I was majoring in sports journalism and neuroscience with the hopes of doing something that involved sports.

Huffington Post

It even got to the point where I just started telling my friends that I was majoring in LIFE when they asked me what my major was.

Huffington Post

I mean, it was major".

The New York Times

I am Major Leo Ben Ezra, your chaplain".

The New Yorker

I am Major-Domo in my own house.

The New Yorker

I am majoring in Business Administration and will be graduating next summer with a bachelor degree.

The Guardian - Opinion

I am majoring in Entertainment Industry Studies and minoring in Marketing.

Huffington Post

I'm majoring in theater so that I can make my way into film.

Vice

"If it's major, I'm staying away".

The New York Times

"I don't think it's major.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to your field of study, use the phrases "I majored in..." or "I was a major in...". This is grammatically correct and clearly conveys your area of specialization.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "I was major" as it is grammatically incorrect and unclear. Ensure your sentences are structured to clearly indicate your area of study or significant experiences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was major" is an incorrect attempt to convey one's academic specialization. Grammatically, it is not a recognized construction in standard English. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is not correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was major" is grammatically incorrect and should not be used in standard English. As Ludwig points out, it is not a recognized or correct way to express one's field of study. The correct alternatives include "I majored in..." or "I was a major in...", which clearly and accurately convey your academic specialization. Avoiding this error enhances clarity and credibility in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I majored in

Specifies the field of study one pursued as a major in college or university. Directly indicates the area of specialization.

I was a major in

Clarifies that one's field of study was a major subject. More explicitly states the role of the subject in one's education.

I studied

Indicates the general area of study without specifying if it was a major or minor subject.

I was

A simple statement of one's state or condition, which requires additional context to understand fully.

I felt significant

Emphasizes a personal feeling of importance or impact, diverging from academic or professional contexts.

I played a major role

Highlights the importance of one's involvement in a specific event or project.

I experienced something major

Describes the occurrence of a significant event in one's life, rather than a field of study.

I underwent major changes

Focuses on personal transformation or substantial alterations in one's circumstances.

I achieved major success

Highlights the accomplishment of significant goals or milestones.

I reached major heights

Indicates the attainment of high levels of achievement or status.

FAQs

How can I correctly express my field of study?

Use the phrases "I majored in..." or "I was a major in..." followed by the specific subject. For example, "I majored in biology" or "I was a major in English literature".

What are some alternatives to indicate I had a significant experience?

You can say "I experienced something major", "I played a major role", or "I achieved major success" depending on the context.

Is "I was major" grammatically correct?

No, "I was major" is not grammatically correct in standard English. Use "I majored in..." or "I was a major in..." instead.

What's the difference between "I majored in" and "I was a major in"?

Both phrases are correct and can be used interchangeably to indicate your field of study. For example, both "I majored in computer science" and "I was a major in computer science" are acceptable.