it was certainly nice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was certainly nice" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a positive sentiment about an experience or event that was enjoyable or pleasant. Example: "After the long meeting, it was certainly nice to relax with a cup of tea and unwind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

He added it was "certainly nice to have something that is in its early seasons and, if we can pull it off, it'll be around for a while".

The New York Times - Arts

"It was certainly nice to chip in but it would also have been nice to extend the shootout," Drury said.

The New York Times - Sports

Williams, smiled, adding: "I just assumed I'd win it every year.… It was certainly nice.

Los Angeles Times

And it was certainly nice to have a proper comedic sendoff to Kanye West's leather kilt, but there just didn't seem to be enough material here to warrant including this in the show.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

When he discovered the Tube's white-tiled stations, he said, "it was certainly nicer than the New York subway, which was the train from hell".

The New York Times - Arts

Sebastian Swett, 26, a second-year student at the law school, said he had signed up for a session with the dog, but does not necessarily think that it will relieve all the pressures that come with being a student at Yale. "I don't think its going to solve anybody's anxiety problems, but it's certainly nice to play with a dog for half an hour".

The New York Times

"It's certainly nice," Michael Bradley said.

The New York Times - Sports

It's certainly nice to be on the way home now.

The Guardian

It's certainly nice as a performer; I get my own caravan.

The Guardian

"I suppose… it's certainly nice for people to consider you attractive or… handsome or whatever the particular adjective is.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"It is certainly nice to see sponsorship of the old-economy stocks," said Arthur Hogan, chief market analyst at Jefferies & Company.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was certainly nice" to express mild satisfaction or appreciation, especially when you want to avoid overly enthusiastic language.

Common error

While "it was certainly nice" is grammatically sound, excessive use of 'certainly' can make your speech sound stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like 'it was really nice' or 'it was great' in casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was certainly nice" functions as an expression of mild approval or satisfaction. It combines a past tense form of the verb "to be" with an adverb of certainty and an adjective indicating a positive quality. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was certainly nice" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express mild satisfaction or approval. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Its frequency is uncommon, mainly appearing in news and media contexts. When writing, consider that it is slightly formal, and overuse can sound stilted, especially in very casual contexts. Alternatives like "it was really nice" or "it was enjoyable" might be more appropriate in informal settings. The phrase conveys a positive sentiment without excessive enthusiasm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was definitely pleasant

Replaces 'certainly' with 'definitely' and 'nice' with 'pleasant', offering a slightly more formal tone.

it was indeed delightful

Substitutes 'certainly' with 'indeed' and 'nice' with 'delightful', increasing the sense of enjoyment.

it was absolutely lovely

Replaces 'certainly' with 'absolutely' and 'nice' with 'lovely', intensifying the positive feeling.

it was really enjoyable

Changes 'certainly nice' to 'really enjoyable', simplifying the expression while maintaining a positive meaning.

it was truly agreeable

Replaces 'certainly' with 'truly' and 'nice' with 'agreeable', presenting a more formal and refined tone.

it was quite satisfying

Substitutes 'certainly nice' with 'quite satisfying', focusing on the fulfillment aspect.

it was pretty great

Simplifies to 'pretty great', making it more casual while conveying a positive sentiment.

it was genuinely pleasing

Replaces 'certainly' with 'genuinely' and 'nice' with 'pleasing', emphasizing authenticity.

it was awfully good

Uses 'awfully good' in place of 'certainly nice', offering a more informal and enthusiastic expression.

it was exceptionally fine

Replaces 'certainly' with 'exceptionally' and 'nice' with 'fine', elevating the level of approval.

FAQs

How can I use "it was certainly nice" in a sentence?

Use "it was certainly nice" to express a positive sentiment about a past experience or event. For example, "After a long day of work, "it was certainly nice" to come home to a relaxing bath".

What are some alternatives to saying "it was certainly nice"?

You can use alternatives such as "it was really nice", "it was quite pleasant", or "it was absolutely lovely" depending on the context and level of enthusiasm you want to convey.

Is "it was certainly nice" formal or informal?

"It was certainly nice" sits in a somewhat neutral to slightly formal register. It's suitable for many situations, but simpler phrases might be better in very casual contexts.

What's the difference between ""it was certainly nice"" and "it was very nice"?

"It was certainly nice" implies a slightly more considered or understated appreciation, while "it was very nice" is a more direct and perhaps more common expression of enjoyment.