it surely was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it surely was' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express agreement with a statement, or to affirm a prior statement. For example, you might say, "I really enjoyed the movie" and your friend could respond, "It surely was."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

So a bicycle it surely was.

The New Yorker

But it surely was historic".

The New York Times

And in some cases, it surely was.

The New York Times

"Coldplay in the building!" he screamed -- it surely was.

The New York Times

Benign though it surely was, it had crossed the line.

The New York Times

THE Good Gray Times: it surely was that.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

It surely is now.

Independent

As it surely is.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It surely is".

The New York Times - Travel

And unrelenting it surely is.

The New York Times

It surely is a Peoples Armyy.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it surely was" in situations where you want to convey a sense of agreement or confirmation, particularly in response to someone else's statement. This can create a sense of connection or shared understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "it surely was" repeatedly in a short span, as it can make your writing sound repetitive and less engaging. Vary your affirmative responses with alternatives like "indeed", "certainly", or rephrase to avoid direct repetition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it surely was" functions primarily as an affirmative response or emphatic agreement. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms this usage, showing that it is commonly used to validate a previous statement or sentiment. Examples from news and media sources illustrate its use in conveying certainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it surely was" is a versatile phrase used to express strong affirmation and agreement. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and commonly found in news and media, also being suitable for formal and scientific contexts. Though frequent, be mindful of overuse. Alternative phrases, such as "it certainly was" or "it definitely was", can add variety. Understanding its register helps ensure appropriate application across various communication scenarios. With its prevalence and clear communicative function, mastering "it surely was" can significantly enhance your ability to express confident agreement in writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it certainly was

Emphasizes the certainty of the statement, similar to the original phrase but with a slightly more formal tone.

it definitely was

Highlights the definiteness of the statement, offering a strong affirmation.

it undoubtedly was

Stresses the lack of doubt regarding the statement, providing a firm agreement.

it unquestionably was

Underscores that the statement is beyond question, offering a very strong affirmation.

it absolutely was

Emphasizes the absoluteness of the statement, reinforcing the agreement.

it indeed was

Confirms the truth of the statement, providing a more formal affirmation.

it truly was

Highlights the genuineness of the statement, offering a sincere agreement.

it really was

Offers a more casual affirmation, emphasizing the reality of the statement.

it demonstrably was

Indicates that the statement can be shown to be true, adding a layer of evidence.

it patently was

Implies that the truth of the statement is obvious or evident.

FAQs

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

Use "it surely was" to express strong agreement or confirmation. For example: "The concert was amazing." Response: "It surely was."

What are some alternatives to "it surely was"?

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

Is "it surely was" formal or informal?

"It surely was" is generally considered neutral in formality. It's suitable for most everyday conversations and writings, but might be replaced with a more formal equivalent in academic papers or high-level business communications.

What's the difference between "it surely was" and "it probably was"?

"It surely was" expresses certainty and strong agreement, while "it probably was" indicates a degree of uncertainty or likelihood. The former confirms, while the latter speculates.