it definitely was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it definitely was" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to confirm or emphasize a previous statement or to express certainty. Example 1: "I thought the movie was good, but my friend didn't like it." Response: "Well, I enjoyed it. It definitely was entertaining." Example 2: "My boss told me to finish the project by tomorrow." Response: "Don't worry, I'll help you. It definitely was due yesterday." Example 3: "I saw a UFO last night." Response: "Really? Are you sure? It definitely was not a plane or a helicopter?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And it definitely was.

Cornell University

It definitely was.

The New York Times

"It definitely was overwhelming".

The New York Times

"It definitely was," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

But it definitely was a shocker.

The New York Times

In Brick, it definitely was not.

The New York Times

For Colin Montgomerie it definitely was personal.

The Guardian - Sport

"It definitely was a tough situation.

The New York Times - Sports

"This study shows it definitely was not".

The New York Times

"It definitely was a pitcher's zone tonight.

The New York Times - Sports

It definitely was written at the funny table.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it definitely was" to emphatically confirm a previous statement or shared understanding. It adds a sense of agreement and certainty to your response.

Common error

While "it definitely was" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with alternatives like "it certainly was" or "it absolutely was" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it definitely was" serves as an emphatic affirmation. Ludwig AI shows this phrase commonly confirms a previous statement, expressing strong agreement. This emphasizes the speaker's certainty and agreement with a prior assertion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it definitely was" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express strong agreement or confirmation. Ludwig AI indicates that it appears frequently across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse and consider more formal alternatives like "it certainly was" in certain settings. Using this phrase effectively can add emphasis and clarity to your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it certainly was

Emphasizes certainty, similar to "definitely", but with a slightly more formal tone.

it absolutely was

Strengthens the affirmation with 'absolutely', indicating no doubt.

it unquestionably was

Highlights the lack of any question or doubt regarding the statement.

it undoubtedly was

Similar to 'unquestionably', reinforcing the absence of doubt.

it undeniably was

Emphasizes that the statement cannot be denied or disputed.

it really was

Uses 'really' to emphasize the truth or reality of the situation.

it clearly was

Indicates that the statement was evident or obvious.

it truly was

Highlights the genuineness or authenticity of the statement.

it indeed was

A more formal way to express confirmation or agreement.

that it was

A simple affirmation, placing emphasis on the 'that'.

FAQs

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

"It definitely was" is used to confirm or emphasize a previous statement. For example, if someone asks, "Was the movie enjoyable?", you could respond, "It definitely was!"

What does "it definitely was" mean?

The phrase "it definitely was" expresses strong agreement or confirmation. It indicates that something was indeed true or occurred as stated.

What can I say instead of "it definitely was"?

You can use alternatives like "it certainly was", "it absolutely was", or "it really was" depending on the context.

Is "it definitely was" formal or informal?

"It definitely was" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both informal and some formal contexts. However, more formal settings might benefit from alternatives such as "it certainly was".