it was early

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was early" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a time of day, typically in the morning, when something occurred or when someone arrived. Example: "It was early when I woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside my window."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

It was early, quiet.

The New Yorker

Still, it was early.

The New York Times

It was early April.

The New York Times

It was early afternoon.

The New York Times - Sports

Now it was early afternoon.

The New Yorker

It was early.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

It's early stages.

The New York Times

It's early days".

The New York Times - Tech

"Nah, it's early".

The New Yorker

Yes, it's early.

The New York Times

It is early yet.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was early", clarify the reference point, such as "it was early in the morning" or "it was early in the project", to provide context.

Common error

Avoid using "it was early" when the context requires a more specific time or phase. General statements lack the detail needed for clarity. Instead, provide specific details such as "it was 6 AM" or "it was the initial stage of development".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was early" primarily functions as an introductory phrase to establish the time or stage at which an event occurred. Ludwig's examples show it setting the context for subsequent actions or observations. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Academia

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was early" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to set a temporal context. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English writing. Predominantly found in news and media sources, the phrase serves to introduce or frame events by specifying that they occurred at an early time. While versatile, clarifying the reference point (e.g., "it was early in the morning") enhances clarity. Related phrases include "it was the beginning" and "it was not late", offering alternative ways to express a similar concept. When using this phrase, it's essential to consider the specific context and provide enough detail to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was the beginning

This alternative emphasizes the start of a period or event rather than the time of day.

it was not late

This phrase focuses on the absence of lateness, implying an earlier time.

it was the dawn

This specifies the time of day as dawn, a particular early time.

it was still morning

This alternative specifies the time of day as morning, indicating it's not yet noon.

it was the initial phase

This focuses on the beginning stage of a process or project.

it was the start

This emphasizes the commencement of an activity or event.

it was beforehand

This indicates something happened prior to a specific event or time.

it was ahead of schedule

This suggests being early in terms of a planned timeline.

it was premature

This implies that something happened too early or before it was ready.

it was the first light

This emphasizes the very first appearance of light in the morning.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was early" to set the scene or provide context about the time when something occurred. For example, "It was early when I arrived at the airport" or "it was early in the day, and the streets were still quiet".

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "it was dawn", "it was still morning", or "it was the beginning".

Is it more correct to say "it was early" or "it was in the early morning"?

Both phrases are correct, but "it was early" is more concise and generally used when the context makes it clear that you're referring to the time of day. "It was in the early morning" is more specific and can be used for emphasis or clarity.

What's the difference between "it was early" and "it was earlier"?

"It was early" typically refers to the time of day or the beginning of a period, while "it was earlier" implies a comparison to a later time or event. For example, "It was earlier than I expected".