it simply was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it simply was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the straightforwardness or undeniable nature of a situation or fact. Example: "In that moment, it simply was, and there was no arguing against it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It simply was not on its whitelist for a particular customer: "We stopped it not because it was Flame, but because it was not trustworthy," he says.

TechCrunch

It simply was.

The New Yorker

"It simply was not a rough ride.

The Guardian

It simply was not going to happen".

The New York Times

"It simply was chaos," said one lab official.

The New York Times - Magazine

I have had the reader reinstalled once because it simply was not reading.

The New York Times - Tech

Or was it simply was too early for the rise of the Hummingbird?

The New Yorker

But other officials and participants, including Mr. Marshall, said it simply was not a priority.

The New York Times

But the lack of consistency meant that, in the end, it simply was not enough.

The Guardian

With or without Carr, it simply was not the Raiders' day in Denver.

The New York Times - Sports

Less than four years later, it simply was too soon to say.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a more impactful statement, consider replacing "simply" with a stronger adverb like "undeniably" or "certainly".

Common error

Avoid using "it simply was" excessively in formal writing, as it can sometimes sound too casual. Opt for more sophisticated phrasing to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it simply was" functions as a declarative statement. Ludwig examples confirm its usage to present a fact or situation without further elaboration. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it simply was" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to state a fact or situation, often implying acceptance or resignation. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's advisable to use stronger alternatives in more formal writing to ensure a professional tone. The phrase sees predominant use in News & Media contexts, with less frequent appearances in Academia, Formal & Business, and other categories. It's crucial to consider the overall tone and audience when deciding to use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it just was

Replaces 'simply' with 'just' for a slightly more casual tone.

it merely was

Substitutes 'simply' with 'merely' to suggest a lack of significance or importance.

it plainly was

Uses 'plainly' instead of 'simply' to emphasize the obviousness of the situation.

it undeniably was

Replaces 'simply' with 'undeniably' to stress the incontrovertible nature of the fact.

it certainly was

Emphasizes the sureness of something.

that was all there was to it

Expresses finality and lack of further explanation.

it happened to be

Indicates a chance occurrence or coincidence.

it turned out to be

Suggests a revelation or discovery about the situation.

it proved to be

Indicates that something was later demonstrated to be true.

that is how it was

Emphasizes the acceptance of a past situation without further analysis.

FAQs

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

The phrase "it simply was" is used to express a straightforward or undeniable fact or situation, often implying a sense of acceptance or resignation. For example: "The decision was made, and "it simply was"."

What are some alternatives to "it simply was"?

Alternatives include "it just was", "it merely was", or "that was all there was to it", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "it simply was" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "it simply was" may sound too casual for highly formal contexts. Consider using more sophisticated phrasing to maintain a professional tone, such as "it plainly was" or "it undeniably was".

What's the difference between "it simply was" and "it was simply"?

The phrase "it simply was" emphasizes the straightforwardness or undeniable nature of a situation. "It was simply" places the emphasis on the manner in which something occurred or existed. For example: "It was simply" a matter of time.