absolutely was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absolutely was" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize certainty or affirmation about a past event or state. Example: "The concert absolutely was the best experience of my life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The old saw that absolute power corrupts absolutely was never truer than it is today.

The New York Times

This absolutely was it.

The New Yorker

I absolutely was surprised".

The Guardian - Film

"Absolutely," was the reply.

The New York Times

He absolutely was not wooden.

The New York Times

The second trend absolutely was not.

Independent

"I absolutely was going to pay him.

The New York Times

"But there absolutely was an effect.

The New York Times - Travel

The kid absolutely was there, and he absolutely was doing everything we pictured via the videotape".

The New York Times

It absolutely was frivolous, and that was the point.

The New York Times

"It absolutely was not an energy supply issue".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "absolutely was", ensure the context requires strong affirmation. Overuse can diminish its impact; consider using milder alternatives like "certainly was" or "definitely was" in less emphatic situations.

Common error

Avoid using "absolutely was" excessively in casual conversation or informal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or theatrical in everyday settings. Opt for more natural expressions like "it really was" or "it definitely was".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absolutely was" functions as an emphatic affirmation of a past state or event. It serves to strengthen the confirmation being made, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "absolutely was" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to strongly affirm something that happened in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While versatile, its emphatic nature suggests reserving it for situations that warrant strong confirmation. Consider alternatives like "definitely was" or "certainly was" for less formal situations. When used appropriately, "absolutely was" adds conviction and emphasis to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

definitely was

Emphasizes certainty but uses a different adverb.

certainly was

Similar in meaning to "definitely was" offering a slightly more formal tone.

undoubtedly was

Expresses a lack of doubt, adding a strong sense of conviction.

indeed was

Confirms a statement with a touch of formality.

genuinely was

Highlights the authenticity or sincerity of the statement.

truly was

Similar to "genuinely was", but with a slightly broader application.

categorically was

Indicates an unambiguous and direct affirmation.

positively was

Emphasizes certainty and leaves no room for doubt.

unquestionably was

Suggests that something was true without any possibility of dispute.

without a doubt was

Similar to "unquestionably was" but phrased differently.

FAQs

What does "absolutely was" mean?

The phrase "absolutely was" is used to express strong agreement or confirmation about something in the past. It indicates a high degree of certainty.

How can I use "absolutely was" in a sentence?

You can use "absolutely was" to emphasize a past state or event, for example: "The party "absolutely was" a success", or "His performance "absolutely was" outstanding".

What can I say instead of "absolutely was"?

You can use alternatives like "definitely was", "certainly was", or "undoubtedly was" to express a similar level of certainty but with a slightly different tone.

Is "absolutely was" formal or informal?

The phrase "absolutely was" leans towards the formal side, making it suitable for professional writing or situations where emphasis is needed. In very informal contexts, consider using less emphatic alternatives.