it was enthralling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was enthralling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an experience, event, or piece of content that was captivating or held your attention completely. Example: "The novel was so well-written that it was enthralling from start to finish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

That was the case on Wednesday; not so much in the tale of the Swan Queen and her prince, but in the human story of two performers, and it was enthralling.

The Guardian

It was enthralling to watch Lil Buck holding a balance on one foot while very slowly raising the supporting foot until it was on point; Tip Toe's rippling muscles and fast footwork; Prime Tyme's gently intense gyrations; and Ringmaster Nugget's spectacular flexing.

The New York Times - Arts

"It wasn't the prettiest of games for anybody that was watching, but it was enthralling".

BBC

Cocky upstart against mercurial old pro, it was enthralling stuff from start to finish, despite the fact there was only one century break in 28 frames.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It is enthralling.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Yet the theory within it is enthralling.

The New York Times - Arts

Sounds uneventful, but it's enthralling.

The New Yorker

The civilisation you're greeted with is the small hamlet of Hammerhead, and it's enthralling.

The Guardian - Tech

After watching Mr. Frears ply his refined skills in mainstream studio fare, it's enthralling to see him employ that jazziness to spark his ticking impatience with injustice".

The New York Times - Arts

Within such a presentation, it is enthralling to watch Mr. Luckinbill sweat out Biedermann's terrifying understanding of his own cowardice, hugely satisfying to witness Ms. Holbrook holding fast to Babette's ingrained civility as her small, consoling universe implodes.

The New York Times

"After watching Mr. Frears ply his refined skills in mainstream studio fare, it's enthralling to see him employ that jazziness to spark his ticking impatience with injustice," Elvis Mitchell wrote in The New York Times.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was enthralling" to describe experiences, performances, or stories that held your complete attention. For variety, consider using synonyms to avoid repetition in your writing.

Common error

While "enthralling" is a strong descriptor, avoid using it repeatedly in the same paragraph or section. This can make your writing sound monotonous. Instead, vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "captivating", "mesmerizing", or "gripping" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was enthralling" functions as a descriptive expression, specifically a subject complement. It attributes a quality (being enthralling) to the subject "it." Ludwig AI analysis indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was enthralling" is a grammatically sound and effective way to describe something captivating or fascinating in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While relatively infrequent, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. To enhance your writing, consider using synonyms like "captivating" or "riveting" to avoid repetition. When writing or speaking, make sure you express the complete and positive engagement you had, so that readers and listeners understand that the source fully captured your attention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was captivating

Replaces "enthralling" with "captivating", focusing on the ability to capture attention.

it was fascinating

Uses "fascinating" instead of "enthralling", highlighting the quality of being extremely interesting.

it was gripping

Emphasizes the intensity of holding one's attention, replacing "enthralling" with "gripping".

it was spellbinding

Conveys the idea of being under a spell due to its captivating nature, using "spellbinding" in place of "enthralling".

it was riveting

Indicates something that completely holds one's attention, substituting "enthralling" with "riveting".

it was mesmerizing

Suggests a hypnotic quality, replacing "enthralling" with "mesmerizing".

it was absorbing

Focuses on the ability to fully occupy one's attention, using "absorbing" instead of "enthralling".

it was intriguing

Highlights the quality of arousing curiosity or interest, with "intriguing" replacing "enthralling".

it held my attention

More explicitly states the effect on the observer, differing in structure from "it was enthralling".

it completely captivated me

Uses a personal pronoun and a more active voice, changing the sentence structure from "it was enthralling".

FAQs

What does "it was enthralling" mean?

The phrase "it was enthralling" means that something was captivating, fascinating, or completely held your attention. It suggests a very positive and engaging experience.

What can I say instead of "it was enthralling"?

You can use alternatives like "it was captivating", "it was fascinating", or "it was riveting" depending on the context.

How do I use "it was enthralling" in a sentence?

Use "it was enthralling" to describe a past experience or event that you found completely absorbing. For example, "The performance was so captivating, it was enthralling from beginning to end."

Is "it is enthralling" grammatically different from "it was enthralling"?

"It is enthralling" describes something that is currently captivating, while "it was enthralling" describes something that captivated you in the past. The difference lies in the tense; "is" indicates present tense, while "was" indicates past tense.