I was very

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was very" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a strong degree of an adjective or emotion in the past tense. Example: "I was very excited to hear about the new project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I was very attached.

The New Yorker

I was very upset.

The New York Times

I was very surprised.

The New York Times - Food

"I was very humbled".

The New York Times

"I was very grateful.

The New York Times - Sports

I was very distressed.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was very controlled.

Independent

I was very uncomfortable.

The New Yorker

I was very ill.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I was very happy.

The New York Times

I was very young.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by occasionally using stronger adjectives that eliminate the need for "very", for example, instead of 'I was very happy' use 'I was ecstatic'.

Common error

While grammatically correct, relying too heavily on "very" can weaken your writing. Seek out more descriptive adjectives to replace "very + adjective" combinations and achieve greater precision and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was very" functions as an intensifier followed by an adjective, serving to express the degree or intensity of a particular state, emotion, or characteristic experienced by the speaker in the past. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was very" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction for expressing the intensity of a past emotion, state, or characteristic. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's suitable for various contexts, although diversifying your vocabulary with more descriptive adjectives can enhance your writing. Common alternatives include "I felt extremely", "I was deeply", and other similar phrases. While correct, overuse of "very" might make your writing weaker. A good writer has a range of alternative adjectives in the toolbox.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I felt extremely

Replaces "very" with "extremely" for a stronger emphasis on the feeling.

I felt incredibly

Uses "incredibly" instead of "very" to intensify the emotion or state.

I was deeply

Employs "deeply" to convey a profound level of the described adjective.

I was really

Substitutes "very" with "really", offering a slightly more casual tone.

I became exceedingly

Utilizes "exceedingly" to indicate a very high degree of the adjective.

I found myself quite

Changes the structure to "I found myself quite" to express a discovered state.

I came to be quite

Emphasizes the process of becoming a certain way, using "quite".

I grew to be very

Highlights the gradual development of a feeling or state, retaining "very".

I had a strong sense of being

Shifts the focus to a "strong sense" of the adjective, changing the sentence structure.

I perceived myself as being

Focuses on the perception of oneself, indicating a self-aware state.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to saying "I was very happy"?

Depending on the context, you could say "I was ecstatic", "I was thrilled", or "I was delighted". Each conveys a stronger sense of happiness than simply saying "I was very happy".

Is it grammatically correct to use "I was very"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. The construction "I was very" + adjective is a standard way to express the degree of a quality or feeling in the past. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

How can I make my writing more impactful than just saying "I was very"?

Try using more specific and powerful adjectives. For instance, instead of "I was very angry", consider using "I was furious" or "I was enraged". This adds depth and precision to your expression. Refer to alternative phrases above to add more nuance to your expression.

What's the difference between saying "I was very sad" and "I was devastated"?

Saying "I was very sad" indicates a general feeling of unhappiness. "I was devastated", on the other hand, implies a much stronger, overwhelming sense of grief or shock. Devastated is a more potent and specific word.