it was dense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was dense" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is thick, compact, or difficult to understand, such as a text, a forest, or a substance. Example: "The novel was so complex that it was dense, making it hard for some readers to follow the plot."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Food

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

It was not the stifling, squalid place of its reputation; it was dense and subtle.

The New Yorker

It was dense.

The New Yorker

It was dense with sewage.

The Guardian

It was dense and packed with historical background.

The Economist

It was dense, and I thought: what the fuck is going on?

The Guardian - Film

It was dense, rich, syrupy and cold -- a sinful ending to an already exquisite feast.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

It was denser, feverish, otherworldly.

The New Yorker

It was denser, beefier, richer and longer.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's dense but light on its feet, distilling a challenging book into an engaging narrative.

The Guardian - Film

It is dense with flavour.

Independent

It's dense.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If describing a physical substance with "it was dense", consider adding more descriptive adjectives to create a vivid image. For instance, "it was dense, rich, and syrupy" paints a clearer picture than simply "it was dense".

Common error

Avoid using "it was dense" as a vague descriptor. Instead, specify why something is dense. For example, instead of "The explanation was dense", write "The explanation was dense with jargon", providing a specific reason for the density.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was dense" primarily functions as a descriptive statement. It combines a pronoun ("it"), a verb ("was"), and an adjective ("dense") to attribute a quality of thickness, compactness, or complexity to a subject. Ludwig AI provides examples of this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was dense" is a grammatically sound and neutrally-registered expression used to describe something characterized by its high density, complexity, or compactness. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage across various contexts, predominantly within news and media sources, as well as scientific texts, and food contexts. To improve clarity, it is advisable to specify the reason for density or to use more descriptive adjectives when relevant. While grammatically correct, it is more effective if you provide additional details.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it had high density

Replaces the adjective "dense" with a noun phrase specifying the quality of having density.

it was tightly packed

Emphasizes the compactness and lack of space within the subject.

it possessed great complexity

Shifts the focus to the intricacy and multifaceted nature of the subject, rather than its physical density.

it was intensely concentrated

Highlights the high concentration of elements or qualities within the subject.

it was heavily laden

Suggests a strong presence of something that makes the object dense, such as liquid or meaning.

it was closely knit

Conveys a sense of interconnectedness and tight structure.

it was impenetrable

Focuses on the difficulty of passing through or understanding the subject due to its density.

it was solid

Emphasizes the firmness and lack of empty space within the subject.

it was substantial

Indicates that the subject has considerable mass or significance.

it was full of

Highlights that the object's density is due to the number of elements that it contains.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was dense" to describe something that is thick, compact, or difficult to understand. For example, "The fog was so thick that "it was dense" and visibility was minimal."

What are some alternatives to saying "it was dense"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "it was thick", "it was compact", or "it was complex".

Is it correct to say "it was densely packed" instead of "it was dense"?

"It was densely packed" is grammatically correct and provides more emphasis on the packing of elements, while ""it was dense"" is a more general description of density.

How does the meaning of "it was dense" change based on the context?

When describing a liquid, ""it was dense"" may refer to its viscosity. When describing information, it might mean the information was complicated or challenging to grasp. Context is critical in determining the intended meaning.