it was definitely something

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "It was definitely something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this sentence when you want to express a feeling of certainty, or when you are affirming a previous statement. For example, you could say, "I thought I heard a noise outside, but it was definitely something else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

"It was definitely something special, to culminate something like that," Petri said.

The New York Times - Sports

Whatever Brod thought that Kafka was going to do for mankind, it was definitely something huge.

The New York Times - Magazine

"But I notice now, in the long run, it was definitely something we should've done".

The New York Times - Sports

Once I started going to interviews, I realised it was definitely something I wanted to do.

The Guardian

"It was definitely something that you don't want to experience, especially after working extremely hard this summer," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

I mean, maybe possible, but it was definitely something that at the age of 20, you're automatically in awe".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

It's definitely something I'll consider".

The New York Times - Sports

"No, it's definitely something else.

The New Yorker

It's definitely something worth pursuing".

The New York Times

It's definitely something to think about.

The New York Times - Arts

"It is definitely something we are contemplating.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was definitely something" to express a sense of certainty or to validate a prior statement or observation. This phrase works well when you want to underscore the significance or impact of something.

Common error

Avoid using "it was definitely something" excessively in formal contexts. While grammatically correct, it can sound less sophisticated than alternatives like "it was certainly significant" or "it was undoubtedly important". Choose more precise and impactful language when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was definitely something" primarily functions as an affirmative statement, confirming the noteworthiness or significance of a subject. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and usability. Examples show its use in various contexts to underscore the impact or importance of something observed or experienced.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was definitely something" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to express certainty about the significance or impact of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, its neutral to slightly informal register makes it suitable for various communicative contexts. While useful for underscoring importance, consider more formal alternatives in academic or business writing to maintain a sophisticated tone. Remember to use this phrase to emphasize your agreement and highlight the noteworthiness of the subject at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was certainly something

Replaces "definitely" with "certainly", maintaining the meaning of assurance.

it was absolutely something

Substitutes "definitely" with "absolutely" to emphasize the certainty.

it undeniably was something

Uses "undeniably" to highlight the irrefutable nature of the statement.

it was without a doubt something

Emphasizes the certainty by adding "without a doubt".

it clearly was something

Replaces "definitely" with "clearly", indicating obviousness.

it was indeed something

Uses "indeed" to confirm or acknowledge a previous statement.

it really was something

Replaces "definitely" with "really", conveying genuineness.

that was definitely something

Adds "that" to refer to a specific subject, slightly altering the focus.

it was quite something

Uses "quite" to express a notable or significant quality.

it proved to be something

Shifts the focus to the outcome or result, suggesting it became evident.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was definitely something" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "it was certainly something", "it was undoubtedly something", or "it was clearly something" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "it was definitely something" imply in a conversation?

The phrase "it was definitely something" often implies that the subject was noteworthy, significant, or impactful in some way. It suggests that the speaker is acknowledging the importance or uniqueness of the event, experience, or object being discussed.

Is "it was definitely something" suitable for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "it was definitely something" might be considered too informal for most academic writing. More precise and descriptive language is usually preferred. Instead of "it was definitely something", try specifying the impact or importance, such as "it was a significant development" or "it was a notable achievement".

What's the difference between "it was definitely something" and "it was obviously something"?

"It was definitely something" emphasizes certainty and confirmation, while "it was obviously something" highlights the ease with which something can be noticed or understood. The former stresses the speaker's assuredness, the latter stresses the apparentness of the subject.