it was bigger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was bigger" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing sizes or dimensions in a past context. Example: "When I saw the two houses side by side, I realized that it was bigger than I had remembered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Your excitement had lost its modest, humble innocence; it was bigger, bolder, darker.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was bigger.

The New York Times - Books

It was bigger than them.

The New York Times

It was bigger than I'd imagined.

The New Yorker

It was bigger than my whole wrist".

The New York Times

It was bigger than it sounds.

The New York Times - Travel

It was bigger than the Gold Rush.

The New Yorker

And I'd actually prefer this magazine if it was bigger.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The scale of the Ross Ice Shelf was dawning on Worsley: it was bigger than France.

The New Yorker

It was bigger than I could have imagined.

The Guardian

This year, it was bigger than ever, some say too big.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was bigger" to compare sizes or magnitudes in a past context, providing a clear point of reference for the comparison. For example, "The crowd was bigger than last year's."

Common error

Avoid using "it was bigger" without a clear comparison point. Ensure the context makes it clear what is being compared to what. Vague references can lead to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was bigger" functions primarily as a comparative statement, typically used to indicate that something had a greater size, scale, or magnitude in the past than something else. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

16%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was bigger" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something was larger in size, scale, or magnitude compared to something else. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The phrase appears frequently in news media and academic contexts, indicating its versatility. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, ensure that the comparison is clear to avoid ambiguity. Consider using synonyms like "it was larger" or "it was more substantial" for varied emphasis. Understanding the context and ensuring clarity are key to effectively using this comparative phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was larger

This alternative is a direct synonym, replacing 'bigger' with 'larger' to describe size.

it was more substantial

This alternative emphasizes the weight or significance, not just physical size.

it was of greater magnitude

This phrase is more formal, indicating a higher degree or scale of something.

it was more extensive

This suggests that something covered a larger area or involved more elements.

it was on a grander scale

This alternative conveys that something was more impressive or elaborate.

it exceeded expectations

This emphasizes that something was beyond what was anticipated.

it was more significant

This focuses on the importance or impact of something, rather than its size.

it was more considerable

This suggests that something was worthy of attention or respect due to its size or impact.

it was outsized

Implies something was unusually or excessively large.

it was humongous

An informal term emphasizing very large size.

FAQs

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

Use "it was bigger" to compare the size, scale, or magnitude of something in the past to something else. For example, "The turnout for the event "it was bigger" than expected".

What can I say instead of "it was bigger"?

You can use alternatives like "it was larger", "it was more substantial", or "it exceeded expectations" depending on the context.

Is "it was bigger" formal or informal?

"It was bigger" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal writing, alternatives like "it was larger" or "it was of greater magnitude" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "it was bigger" and "it became bigger"?

"It was bigger" describes a state in the past, indicating a comparison at a specific time. "It became bigger" describes a change over time, indicating a growth or increase in size or magnitude.