is it new

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is it new" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when inquiring about the novelty or recentness of an item, idea, or information. Example: "I just saw the latest model of the smartphone. Is it new?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Neither is it new.

The New York Times

Nor is it new.

The New Yorker

And is it new funding or reallocation of existing funding?

The Guardian

Nor is it new for designers and design theorists to discuss how design impacts the senses.

The New York Times - Arts

It is not a new concept online, and neither is it new for the BBC.

The Guardian - Tech

Compressed audio making audiophiles crinkle their noses is not surprising, nor is it new.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

A show running around with an asterisk--is it old or is it new --is "Arrested Developmenew --is

Los Angeles Times

How was it new?

The New York Times

It's not Kingston, Jamaica, nor is it New York or Miami, but Hartford is most definitely a reggae town.

The New York Times

Or is it New York or Bombay?

Huffington Post

"It's not new, is it?

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is it new", clarify the specific aspect of 'newness' you're questioning. Are you asking if something is recently created, a novel concept, or a previously unknown fact?

Common error

Don't automatically assume that something "is it new" is superior. Evaluate its merits independently, considering that newness alone doesn't guarantee quality or improvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is it new" functions primarily as an interrogative expression. It aims to elicit information about the novelty or recentness of a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable construction. Examples from Ludwig show it used in varied contexts from technology to art, all seeking confirmation of newness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

16%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Lifestyle

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is it new" serves as a straightforward inquiry about the novelty or recentness of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound and frequently used expression. It's adaptable across various registers, though notably prevalent in News & Media. While seemingly simple, context is key to its effective use: be specific about what aspect of "newness" you're questioning, and avoid assuming that 'new' automatically equates to 'better'. Understanding these nuances allows for more precise and meaningful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is it innovative

Focuses on the degree of innovation rather than just newness.

is it recent

Highlights the recency or timeliness of something.

is it original

Emphasizes the lack of imitation or derivation.

is it novel

Stresses the uniqueness and unfamiliarity of something.

is it groundbreaking

Indicates a significant advancement or departure from previous norms.

is it state-of-the-art

Focuses on the modernity and technological advancement.

is it cutting-edge

Highlights the advanced and experimental nature of something.

is it the latest

Emphasizes that something is the most up-to-date version.

does it represent a breakthrough

Asks if there is a significant discovery or achievement.

is it unprecedented

Stresses the absolute lack of prior occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "is it new" in a sentence?

You can use "is it new" to inquire about the novelty of something. For example, "I saw this product advertised, but "is it new" or has it been around for a while?"

What are some alternatives to asking "is it new"?

Depending on the context, you could ask "is it recent", "is it innovative", or "is it original" instead of "is it new".

Is it redundant to ask "is it brand new"?

While not strictly grammatically incorrect, asking "is it brand new" can be somewhat redundant, as 'brand new' already implies newness. Simply asking ""is it new"" usually suffices.

What's the difference between asking "is it new" and "was it new"?

"Is it new" refers to the present state of something, while "was it new" refers to its state in the past. For example, "Is it new?" asks if something is currently new, whereas "Was it new when you bought it?" asks about its condition at the time of purchase.