how easy it was

USAGE SUMMARY

"How easy it was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that has already happened. For example: "When I tried to install the new software, I was surprised at how easy it was."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

That's how easy it was.

Independent

"See how easy it was?

The Guardian - Film

I liked how easy it was.

The New York Times - Magazine

That's how easy it was for him.

The New York Times - Sports

I couldn't believe how easy it was.

The Guardian - Sport

"That's how easy it was," Mr. Molinari recalled.

The New York Times

He could hardly believe how easy it was.

The New York Times - Health

"I was amazed at how easy it was.

The New York Times

"It was amazing how easy it was," she recalled.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I couldn't quite believe how easy it was," Armstrong says.

The Guardian

ii) Simplicity/how easy it was for the team to implement the idea.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how easy it was" to express surprise or disbelief at the simplicity of a past action or event. It often implies a contrast with initial expectations of difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "how easy it is" when referring to a past event. "How easy it was" is specifically used to reflect on something that has already occurred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how easy it was" functions as a nominal relative clause, often serving as the complement of a verb or adjective expressing surprise, realization, or disbelief. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

32%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how easy it was" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase to express surprise or realization about the simplicity of a past event. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and numerous examples demonstrate its versatility across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While suitable for most situations, more formal writing might benefit from nuanced alternatives. Keep in mind its retrospective nature and you'll be set.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how simple it turned out to be

Changes the adjective and verb tense to convey a sense of realization.

how effortless it proved to be

Replaces "easy" with "effortless" and uses "proved" instead of "was".

how uncomplicated the process was

Substitutes "easy" with "uncomplicated" to highlight the straightforward nature.

how smoothly it went

Emphasizes the lack of problems or interruptions during the process.

how readily it happened

Focuses on the quickness and lack of resistance involved.

how undemanding it was

Highlights the low level of effort required.

the ease with which it was accomplished

Focuses on the ease as a characteristic of the accomplishment.

the surprising simplicity of it

Nominalizes the phrase, emphasizing the unexpected ease.

the lack of difficulty involved

Shifts the focus to the absence of problems or obstacles.

the sheer breeze of it

Uses a more figurative expression to describe something very easy.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "how easy it was"?

You can use phrases like "how simple it turned out to be", "the surprising simplicity of it", or "how uncomplicated the process was" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "how easy it is" instead of "how easy it was"?

"How easy it is" refers to a present or general situation, while "how easy it was" refers to a past situation. Choose the tense that matches the time frame you're describing.

What does "how easy it was" imply?

It usually implies a sense of surprise or realization that something was simpler than expected. It suggests a contrast between initial anticipation and the actual experience.

Can "how easy it was" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "how easy it was" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, as it is grammatically correct and widely understood. However, consider more sophisticated phrasing for highly formal contexts if needed.