it was a thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was a thing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an event, trend, or situation that was significant or noteworthy at a particular time. Example: "Back in the 90s, wearing flannel shirts and combat boots was a thing among teenagers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But "it was a thing you didn't talk about in polite company".

The New York Times

This commodity became money, and by this thinking it was a thing in its own right, carrying an intrinsic value.

HuffPost

It was a thing unto itself, that had its own movement.

The Washington Post

It was a thing of beauty.

The New York Times

It was a thing with bling.

The New Yorker

It was a thing they did together.

The New York Times

It was a thing came naturally to my mind.

Yale University

It was a thing that I was looking forward to.

The New York Times

It was a thing of beauty from start to finish.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Anyway, it's a thing.

Cornell University

It is a thing that loves things.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was a thing" to convey a sense of nostalgia or to highlight how trends and practices have changed over time. For example, "Before social media, writing letters was a thing."

Common error

While "it was a thing" is acceptable, avoid overusing it, especially in formal writing. Excessive repetition can make your writing sound informal or repetitive. Use synonyms like "it was common" or "it was popular" to vary your expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was a thing" functions as a statement indicating that something was prevalent or noteworthy at a specific time. It often serves as a retrospective comment, as evidenced by the examples in Ludwig. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was a thing" is a common and acceptable phrase used to indicate that something was popular, trendy, or a notable occurrence at a particular time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used, especially in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's best to avoid overusing it and consider more formal alternatives in academic or professional writing. When employing the phrase, ensure that the context clarifies what "it" refers to, and avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was the in thing

Highlights something's fashionable status.

it was a trend

Focuses specifically on the aspect of something being a fashionable or prevailing style.

it was all the rage

Highlights the intense enthusiasm and trendiness associated with something.

it was in vogue

Emphasizes that something was currently stylish or popular.

it was quite popular

Emphasizes the widespread acceptance or adoption of something.

it was fashionable

Highlights that something was aligned with current fashion trends.

it was a big deal

Emphasizes the importance or significance of something.

it was the norm

Indicates that something was typical or expected.

it was common practice

Indicates that something was a standard or accepted way of doing things.

it was prevalent

Focuses on how widespread something was.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was a thing" to refer to something that was popular or common at a particular time. For example, "Back in the 80s, leg warmers "were a thing"."

What does "it was a thing" mean?

"It was a thing" means that something was popular, common, or noteworthy at a certain time. It often implies a sense of nostalgia or that the trend has since passed.

Which is correct, "it was a thing" or "it is a thing"?

Both are correct, but they have different meanings. "It was a thing" refers to something that was popular in the past, while "it is a thing" refers to something that is currently popular or common.

What can I say instead of "it was a thing"?

You can use alternatives like "it was popular", "it was common", or "it was trendy" depending on the context.