it was a colonel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was a colonel" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a specific individual who held the rank of colonel, often in a narrative or descriptive context. Example: "In the midst of the battle, it was a colonel who led the troops to victory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It was a colonel.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"It was a lieutenant colonel who took me up.

The Guardian - Books

It was an hour, Colonel Bumgarner said, before the disturbances were entirely brought under control.

The New York Times

"It was a clean operation," Colonel Bayardo said, dismissing Mr. Zelaya's remarks before the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday in which he described the arrest as a brutal coup.

The New York Times

It was a struggle for Colonel Reilly to talk with the Iraqis; he had borrowed an interpreter from another unit, and the young Iraqi had considerable difficulty with English.

The New York Times

After the war ended it came out that he was a colonel in the Viet Cong the most senior spy they had.

Vice

After the war ended it came out that he was a colonel in the Viet Cong – the most senior spy they had.

Vice

"It was a desperate decision," the colonel said.

The New York Times

It was a picture of the colonel's children, but he could not name them.

The New York Times

It was a difficult decision, said Colonel Dunbar, who was appointed the force's first black commander in 1999, amid a racial profiling scandal that grew out of a shooting on the New Jersey Turnpike in April 1998 in which three unarmed black and Hispanic men were wounded.

The New York Times

It was a shocking interview with Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, Colin Powell's Chief of Staff, that made me realize that Rice's story was a Faustian tragedy of the corrupting impact of power.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "it was a colonel", ensure the context clearly establishes the situation or event being described. This phrase often introduces or highlights the involvement of a specific person with that rank.

Common error

Avoid assuming that anyone in a leadership position is automatically a colonel. Verify the actual rank to maintain accuracy and credibility in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was a colonel" functions as a noun phrase identifying an individual holding the rank of colonel. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct in written English, typically appearing in narrative or descriptive contexts to specify an individual's military rank.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was a colonel" is a grammatically sound way to introduce a person of that military rank within a narrative. As Ludwig AI points out, it’s correct and usable in written English. Its frequency is common, particularly in news and media where military personnel are often mentioned. While the phrase itself is neutral, the implied context may lean towards formality depending on the source. Be mindful to verify the rank for accuracy. Alternatives like "he was a colonel" or "she was a colonel" provide more direct alternatives, based on the person's gender.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was a general

Replaces the military rank with a higher-ranking officer.

it was a major

Replaces the military rank with a lower-ranking officer.

it was a captain

Replaces the military rank with another officer rank.

it was an officer

Generalizes the role to any officer, not specifying the rank.

it was the commander

Replaces the rank with a functional title.

he was a colonel

Changes the sentence structure by using "he" instead of "it".

she was a colonel

Changes the sentence structure by using "she" instead of "it".

it was a leader

Substitutes a more general term for someone in charge.

the person was a colonel

Changes sentence structure to emphasize 'person'.

it turned out to be a colonel

Adds the element of discovery or surprise.

FAQs

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

Use "it was a colonel" to introduce or emphasize the role of a specific colonel in a situation. For example, "In the chaos of the battle, "it was a colonel" who stepped forward to rally the troops".

What phrases are similar to "it was a colonel"?

Similar phrases include "it was an officer", "he was a colonel", or "she was a colonel", depending on the context and desired level of specificity.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it was a colonel"?

Yes, ""it was a colonel"" is grammatically correct. The phrase clearly identifies the rank of an individual within a narrative or descriptive context.

What's the difference between "it was a colonel" and "there was a colonel"?

"It was a colonel" often emphasizes a particular colonel's actions or involvement, while "there was a colonel" simply indicates the presence of a colonel in a given situation.