it was cold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was cold" is correct and can be used in written English.
Example sentence: "I stepped outside and realized it was cold."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

It was cold.

The New York Times

It was cold inside.

The New Yorker

But it was cold.

The New York Times

Then it was cold.

The New York Times - Sports

It was cold comfort.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was cold, rainy.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

It was colder than ever.

The New Yorker

It was colder than ice.

The New Yorker

Although, it was cold-ish.

Huffington Post

It… It's cold.

The New Yorker

It's cold.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was cold" to describe a general feeling of coldness or a low temperature in a simple and direct manner. This phrase is suitable for a wide range of contexts, from personal narratives to factual reporting.

Common error

Avoid unnecessary intensifiers like "really" or "very" before "cold" if the context doesn't warrant it. Overusing intensifiers can weaken the impact of your writing. Instead of "it was very cold", consider if "it was freezing" or "it was frigid" might be more appropriate and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was cold" primarily functions as a declarative statement, expressing a state of being related to temperature. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

19%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was cold" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a low temperature or the feeling of coldness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a variety of contexts, primarily in news and media, academia, and formal business settings. While simple and direct, its effectiveness lies in its clarity and versatility. For situations requiring more descriptive language, alternatives like "the temperature was low" or "there was a chill in the air" can be used. However, "it was cold" remains a reliable and widely understood expression for conveying the sensation of coldness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the temperature was low

Replaces "cold" with a more descriptive phrase about the temperature.

there was a chill in the air

Emphasizes the feeling of coldness rather than stating it directly.

the weather was frigid

Uses a more intense adjective ("frigid") to describe the cold weather.

a cold atmosphere prevailed

Describes the overall atmosphere as cold, implying a more pervasive feeling.

the air felt freezing

Focuses on the sensation of extreme coldness.

low temperatures were present

More formal and scientific way of stating that it was cold.

it was a chilly day

Replaces "cold" with "chilly", suggesting a milder degree of coldness.

the surroundings were freezing

Focuses on the coldness of the immediate environment.

the environment was icy

Implies a coldness associated with ice.

the weather was below freezing

States that the temperature was at or below the freezing point of water.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was cold" to describe the temperature or the general feeling of coldness in a specific situation. For instance, "It was cold outside, so I put on a jacket" or "It was cold in the room, despite the fireplace".

What are some alternatives to "it was cold"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "the temperature was low", "there was a chill in the air", or "the weather was frigid".

Is it correct to say "it was coldly" instead of "it was cold"?

No, "it was coldly" is not grammatically correct. "Cold" is an adjective describing the state of being, while "coldly" is an adverb describing how an action is performed. Therefore, "it was cold" is the correct phrasing.

What's the difference between "it was cold" and "it was freezing"?

"It was cold" generally indicates a low temperature, while "it was freezing" implies a much lower, near- or below-freezing temperature. "It was freezing" suggests a more extreme level of coldness than "it was cold".