it was be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was be" is not correct and usable in Standard Written English.
You cannot use it in this form, as the verb "to be" requires a conjugation such as "was," "were," "is," or "are." For example, you could rephrase the sentence to say "It was" or "It is."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

So, if 2016 had a lesson for the movies, it was: be original, be brave, be inclusive.

The Guardian - Film

"If there was one thing Chris would have wanted to do, it was be a cartoonist," said his girlfriend, Kristy Walsh.

The New York Times

"It was: 'Be faster, be faster but be safe too.' It was a bit scary but then there was such elation.

The Guardian - Sport

The stone, the second largest ever recovered, was too large to fit inside the company's own scanner, so it was be transported to Antwerp for closer inspection.

The Guardian

America is a much smaller figure than the colossus that seemed to bestride the world in 1989, when an article titled "The End of History?" could, paradox though it was, be taken seriously.

The New York Times

Even so, Mr. Freeh said, on Jan . 30 the F.B.I. office in Oklahoma City issued another communication directing that "everything remaining anywhere in the file, no matter what it was, be sent to Oklahoma City so it could be evaluated".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

It was being repossessed.

The New York Times

It was, wasn't it?

The New Yorker

"It's being interdependent".

The New York Times

It's been clinical.

The New York Times

It's been sharp.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you intend to use a form of "to be" after "it was", ensure you are using the correct conjugation (is, was, were, been, being) or a modal verb (like "going to be").

Common error

A frequent error is using the base form of a verb ("be") directly after "it was". Always conjugate the verb to match the tense and subject. For example, instead of "it was be", use "it was going to be" or "it was being".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was be" is grammatically incorrect and doesn't function as a standard English phrase. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase isn't usable in its current form, as the verb "to be" requires conjugation.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was be" is grammatically incorrect and should not be used in standard English writing or speech. As Ludwig AI clearly states, the verb "to be" requires proper conjugation (such as "was", "is", "were", "been", or "being") to form grammatically correct sentences. Correct alternatives depend on the intended meaning, and may include phrases such as "it was going to be", "it was meant to be", or "it was being". Always ensure proper verb conjugation to maintain clarity and grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was going to be

This alternative adds 'going to' to express future intention or prediction, which is a common correction when 'be' follows 'was'.

it was meant to be

This suggests that something was predestined or intended to happen in a certain way.

it had to be

This implies necessity or inevitability.

it was supposed to be

This suggests an expectation or plan that may or may not have been fulfilled.

it was to be

This expresses a future arrangement or plan.

it used to be

This indicates a past state or condition that no longer exists.

it will be

This uses 'will' to express a future occurrence or state.

it is to be

Expresses a future action or event that is planned or destined.

it is going to be

Indicates a future event or state that is likely to happen.

it has been

This uses the present perfect tense to describe an action or state that started in the past and continues to the present or has relevance to the present.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "it was be" in a sentence?

The phrase "it was be" is grammatically incorrect. You can correct it by using a conjugated form of "to be", such as "it was" followed by a past participle (e.g., "it was decided"), or by adding a modal verb (e.g., "it was going to be").

What are some alternatives to "it was be" that convey a similar meaning?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "it was supposed to be", "it was meant to be", or "it was going to be" to express intention or expectation. The specific choice depends on the intended meaning.

Is "it was be" ever grammatically correct in English?

No, "it was be" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The verb "to be" requires a conjugated form that agrees with the subject and tense. You would typically use "it was" followed by an appropriate verb form.

What's the difference between "it was be" and "it was being"?

"It was be" is grammatically incorrect. "It was being" is the correct form, using the past continuous tense to describe an ongoing action in the past (e.g., "It was being built").