it was fascinating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was fascinating" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something was interesting or captivating in the past. Example: "The documentary on ancient civilizations was so well-made; it was fascinating to learn about their cultures and innovations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was fascinating stuff, not least for its ambition.

BBC

It was fascinating.

The New York Times

It was fascinating to watch.

The New York Times - Magazine

And yet it was fascinating.

The New Yorker

But it was fascinating nonetheless.

The Economist

It was fascinating to see.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was fascinating, though.

The New York Times

Nonetheless, it was fascinating.

The New York Times - Arts

"But it was fascinating".

The New York Times

It was fascinating and frustrating to witness.

The New Yorker

"It was fascinating," he told me.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was fascinating" to introduce a personal reflection after witnessing something interesting or complex. For example, "After observing the intricate clockwork mechanism, it was fascinating to consider the history of its creation."

Common error

While "it was fascinating" is appropriate in many contexts, avoid overusing it in formal academic or professional writing. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "intriguing" or "remarkable" to enhance the tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was fascinating" functions as a subjective expression, conveying the speaker's or writer's personal experience of being highly interested or captivated by something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used to express that something was interesting or captivating in the past.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was fascinating" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express personal interest and captivation in something from the past. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in English writing. While primarily found in news and media contexts, its neutral register makes it versatile for various forms of communication. When aiming for a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "it was intriguing" or "it was remarkable". Use "it was fascinating" to add a personal touch when sharing a positive reaction to a past experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was intriguing

Replaces "fascinating" with "intriguing", suggesting something that provokes curiosity.

it was captivating

Uses "captivating" instead of "fascinating", emphasizing the ability to hold attention.

it was absorbing

Substitutes "fascinating" with "absorbing", highlighting the immersive quality of the experience.

it was enthralling

Replaces "fascinating" with "enthralling", implying a powerful and captivating effect.

it was remarkable

Uses "remarkable" instead of "fascinating", focusing on the noteworthy or exceptional nature of the subject.

it was quite interesting

Adds "quite" to emphasize the level of interest, while using the more common word "interesting".

it was very interesting

Emphasizes the level of interest with the adverb "very".

i found it fascinating

Shifts the focus to the speaker's personal experience of finding something fascinating.

it held my attention

Expresses the idea of being fascinated by describing the effect something had on the speaker.

i was completely absorbed

Focuses on the speaker's immersive experience, using "completely absorbed" to convey strong engagement.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was fascinating" to describe something you found extremely interesting or captivating. For example, "The lecture on quantum physics was complex, but "it was fascinating" to learn about the fundamental principles of the universe."

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

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

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

While generally acceptable, "it was fascinating" can sometimes be perceived as less formal. Consider using more academic alternatives such as "it was illuminating" or "it was instructive" for a more appropriate tone.

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

"It was fascinating" refers to something that occurred in the past and that you found captivating at that time. "It is fascinating" describes something that you currently find captivating. For example, "The historical exhibit "it was fascinating" when I visited last year, and the new artifacts make it even more interesting now."