it was developments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was developments" is not correct in standard written English.
It lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure, as "developments" is a plural noun and should be preceded by a singular subject or rephrased for coherence. Example: "It was the developments in technology that changed the industry."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

If digital access pushed libraries to reinvent themselves, it was developments in educational theory that helped turn them into academic town squares.

The New York Times

Soon General Motors and Mercedes-Benz were using 3D Systems' technology – the company sold printers, materials and software – to build prototypes, but it was developments in medicine that stunned him, such as when models in advance of surgery could be created.

The Guardian - Business

Chemical atomism lent itself to the idea that it was developments in chemistry that were to indicate which properties were to be attributed to chemical atoms, as exemplified in the path that led to the property 'valency'valency

SEP

However, it was developments in the 20th century that clearly obliterated the hope of ever drawing a clear and unequivocal line of distinction between pathogens and non-pathogens.

BMC Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It was development land.

The Guardian

It is developments which help us identify the direction in which the world is going.

Huffington Post

"All the west has got going for it is development.

The Guardian - Music

Preservation may once have been "a hedge against development [but] now it is development".

The New Yorker

Sustainable development is not a subset of development; it is development (in a modern world of resource limits).

The Guardian

Speaking of Uncle Ike's, she says, "It's development that's not wanted.

The Guardian

As Bill Clinton might say; "It's development, stupid!" But to be successful in development, security is essential.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing multiple developments, ensure your sentence structure clearly indicates the plural nature of the subject. Consider rephrasing to emphasize the developments themselves or the context in which they occurred.

Common error

Avoid using "it was" with plural nouns like "developments". This creates grammatical errors. Instead, use "there were" or rephrase the sentence to have a singular subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase, while grammatically incorrect, attempts to function as a linking phrase introducing or highlighting advancements or changes. Ludwig AI notes its non-standard usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was developments" is grammatically incorrect because it uses a singular verb ("was") with a plural noun ("developments"). According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is non-standard. While the phrase appears across various source categories like News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business, it's crucial to use grammatically sound alternatives such as "developments were", "there were developments", or rephrase to use a singular subject (e.g., "it was the development of..."). Correct usage enhances clarity and credibility in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

developments were

Reverses the phrase to emphasize the developments themselves, which requires a verb change.

advancements included

Uses a synonym for developments, 'advancements', to emphasize progress.

it involved developments

Indicates that something included or necessitated developments, focusing on implication.

developments included

Similar to 'it involved developments', but directly highlights what the developments were.

progress encompassed

Emphasizes that progress was broad and included specific advancements.

it spurred advancements

Highlights what initiated or accelerated advancements, changing the focus to the cause.

it fostered growth

Indicates that it promoted or encouraged growth, a broader concept than specific developments.

it facilitated enhancements

Highlights what made enhancements or improvements easier, emphasizing facilitation.

improvements ensued

Indicates that improvements followed as a result, focusing on the outcome.

it required improvements

Highlights the necessity of improvements, shifting the focus to the requirements.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "it was developments"?

You can correct it by using "there were developments", or rephrasing the sentence to have a singular subject such as, "it was the series of developments that...". Another option is simply "developments were...".

What are some alternatives to "it was developments"?

Alternatives include phrases like "developments included", "developments were", or "it involved developments", depending on the intended meaning.

Which is grammatically correct: "it was developments" or "there were developments"?

"There were developments" is grammatically correct. "It was developments" is incorrect due to a mismatch between the singular verb "was" and the plural noun "developments".

What is the difference between saying "it was a development" and "there were developments"?

"It was a development" refers to a single, specific development. "There were developments" indicates multiple developments occurred. The choice depends on whether you're discussing one or more events.