it was excellent

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "It was excellent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something was very good. For example: I had the steak dinner at the restaurant and it was excellent.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was excellent".

The New York Times - Sports

It was excellent advice.

The New York Times

It was excellent business.

The Guardian - Sport

"In general it was excellent," he says.

The Economist

"It was excellent, wasn't it?

The Guardian - Sport

Hurt said: "It was excellent.

The Guardian - Film

The grade on it was Excellent.

The New Yorker

AS A speech it was excellent.

The Economist

"It was excellent," one of them said.

The New Yorker

"I thought it was excellent," he says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Three words: IT WAS EXCELLENT," blogged Dearnley.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was excellent" to concisely express strong approval or satisfaction with a past event, performance, or product. It's suitable when you want to communicate a positive assessment without elaborate detail.

Common error

While "it was excellent" is perfectly acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. Opt for more descriptive and nuanced language to convey the specific qualities that made something excellent. For instance, specify that "the methodology was excellent in its rigor" or "the analysis was excellent in its depth".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "It was excellent" functions as a subject complement, where "it" is the subject, "was" is the linking verb, and "excellent" is the adjective that describes the subject. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and is used to express that something was very good.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "It was excellent" is a grammatically sound and versatile way to express strong approval or satisfaction. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While appropriate for general use, avoid overuse in formal writing, opting instead for more descriptive alternatives. Remember to use "it was excellent" for past events and consider replacing it with alternatives such as "it was superb" or "it was outstanding" for variety. By following these guidelines, you can confidently and effectively use this phrase in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It was outstanding

Replaces "excellent" with a synonym indicating something stood out positively.

It was superb

Substitutes "excellent" with another term suggesting superior quality.

It was exceptional

Replaces "excellent" with a term indicating something out of the ordinary.

It was magnificent

Emphasizes the grandeur and impressiveness, instead of simply 'excellent'.

It was wonderful

Indicates a high degree of pleasure or satisfaction derived from something.

It was remarkable

Highlights the noteworthy or exceptional aspect, differing from a general 'excellent'.

It was first-rate

Uses an idiom to convey top quality, a more descriptive alternative.

It was top-notch

Uses a more informal idiom to suggest high quality.

It was impressive

Highlights the capacity to evoke admiration or respect.

It was commendable

Focuses on the praiseworthy nature of something, rather than its overall excellence.

FAQs

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

Use "it was excellent" to express satisfaction or approval regarding a past event, experience, or item. For instance, "The presentation was thorough, and "it was excellent" overall".

What are some alternatives to "it was excellent"?

Alternatives include "it was superb", "it was outstanding", or "it was remarkable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it was excellent" too informal for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "it was excellent" might be considered too general for academic writing. Consider replacing it with more descriptive phrases that specify the qualities that made something excellent, such as "the methodology was rigorous" or "the analysis was insightful".

What's the difference between "it was excellent" and "it is excellent"?

"It was excellent" refers to something in the past, while "it is excellent" describes something in the present. For example, "The meal I had last night "it was excellent"," versus, "This restaurant "it is excellent"".