it was clashes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was clashes" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be an attempt to describe a situation involving conflicts or disagreements, but it lacks proper grammatical structure. Example: "During the meeting, it was clashes between the two departments that led to a heated discussion."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Before, it was clashes between police and protesters.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It even issued a warning to the channel responsible, Show TV, that it was clashing with the "national and moral values of our society".

The Economist

Four puppeteers, including Richard Hunt, had performed Elmo previously, but it was Clash's development, with a falsetto voice, that established the character.

Wikipedia

I don't even think it's clashing with my comment system on Blogger since it is more like a short conversation than anything else.

TechCrunch

It has been clashing with other rebel groups in parts of Idleb.

The Economist

More than a clash of nonprofit and commercial cultures, Mr. Wolfe said, it was a clash of personalities.

The New York Times

It was the clash of the oligarchs.

The Guardian

It was a clash less of views than of history.

The New York Times - Books

"It was a clash of temperaments between George Sluizer and Judy," he says.

The Guardian - Film

It was "a clash of cultures," Brûlé says.

The New York Times - Magazine

In some ways, it was a clash between East and West.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to multiple instances of conflict, use the plural form "clashes" with the plural verb form "were" to ensure grammatical correctness. For example, prefer "There were clashes" over "It was clashes".

Common error

Avoid using the singular verb form "was" with the plural noun "clashes". This creates a grammatical error that can confuse readers and undermine the clarity of your writing. Ensure subject-verb agreement by using "were" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was clashes" functions as an attempt to describe a situation involving multiple conflicts. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically incorrect due to the mismatch between the singular verb "was" and the plural noun "clashes". The intended function is to convey the existence of multiple confrontations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it was clashes" attempts to describe a scenario involving multiple conflicts, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms the error, highlighting the subject-verb disagreement. The correct phrasing would be "there were clashes" or alternative expressions like "it involved clashes". Although the phrase appears in contexts like News & Media, adhering to proper grammar ensures clarity and credibility in writing. When describing multiple conflicts, using the correct plural form is essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there were clashes

Replaces the singular "was" with "were" to match the plural noun "clashes", correcting the grammatical error.

it involved clashes

Uses "involved" to convey the presence of conflicts, shifting the sentence structure slightly.

there were confrontations

Substitutes "clashes" with "confrontations" to provide a synonym with a similar meaning.

it consisted of clashes

Emphasizes that the situation was made up of conflicts, changing the focus slightly.

clashes occurred

Rephrases to highlight the occurrence of conflicts, using a more direct structure.

conflicts arose

Focuses on the emergence of conflicts, offering a different perspective on the situation.

fighting broke out

Indicates the sudden start of fighting, providing a more active description.

skirmishes took place

Uses "skirmishes" to suggest minor battles, altering the intensity of the conflicts.

altercations happened

Employs "altercations" to describe heated arguments or fights, changing the nature of the clashes.

disputes emerged

Shifts the focus to disagreements, offering a less violent interpretation of the conflicts.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "it was clashes"?

The correct way to phrase this is "there were clashes". The verb "were" agrees with the plural noun "clashes".

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

You can use alternatives like "it involved clashes", "there were confrontations", or "conflicts arose" depending on the context.

Why is "it was clashes" grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "it was clashes" is grammatically incorrect because the singular verb "was" does not agree with the plural noun "clashes". The correct form requires a plural verb, such as "there were clashes".

How does the meaning change if I use "there was a clash" instead of "there were clashes"?

Using "there was a clash" indicates a single instance of conflict, while "there were clashes" refers to multiple instances. The choice depends on whether you're describing one event or several.