how it was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'how it was' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that has happened in the past, specifically describing the circumstances or state of that past event. For example, "She remembered how it was before the pandemic, when life felt more normal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That's how it was.

The New York Times - Sports

Remember how it was before.

The New Yorker

Tells how it was made.

The New Yorker

She knew how it was.

The Guardian - Music

That was how it was.

Independent

Anyway, that's how it was.

The New Yorker

That's how it was doing.

The New Yorker

That's basically how it was.

The New York Times

Is that how it was?

The New York Times - Arts

That's not how it was".

The New York Times

"This is how it was explained".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how it was" to provide context or background information, especially when contrasting past and present conditions.

Common error

Avoid using "how it was" when referring to ongoing or current situations; it's specifically for completed actions or states.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how it was" functions as a relative clause, often introducing information about a past state, condition, or manner. It's used to provide context or background, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how it was" is a versatile phrase used to refer to past conditions, states, or manners. It is considered grammatically correct and very common in English, especially in news and media. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a relative clause to provide context or background information, often drawing comparisons between the past and present. When using "how it was", ensure you're referring to completed actions or states and not ongoing situations. Remember that alternative phrases like "the way it used to be" or ""what it was like"" can offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the way it used to be

Focuses on past conditions or states.

what it was like

Emphasizes the experience or feeling of a past situation.

the manner in which it occurred

Highlights the process or method by which something happened.

the conditions that existed

Focuses on the circumstances of the past.

the state of affairs at the time

Refers to the overall situation in the past.

the previous situation

Highlights the before state and is shorter.

how things stood then

Implies a specific comparison to the current state.

the historical context

Focuses on the events surrounding the past condition.

the procedure involved

Refers to how something was done.

the means of achieving it

Talks about how a result was obtained.

FAQs

How can I use "how it was" in a sentence?

You can use "how it was" to describe past conditions or states, such as "She remembered "what it was like" before the internet."

What are some alternatives to "how it was"?

Alternatives include "the way it used to be", ""what it was like"", or "the conditions that existed depending on the context.

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

No, "how it is" refers to the present, while "how it was" refers to the past. They are not interchangeable.

What's the difference between "how it was done" and "how it was"?

"How it was done" emphasizes the method or process, while "how it was" refers to the overall state or situation.