it was fierce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was fierce" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that was intense, powerful, or aggressive, often in relation to emotions, competition, or natural phenomena. Example: "The storm last night was fierce, with winds that howled and rain that lashed against the windows."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The competition was as varied as it was fierce.

The New York Times

Opposition to it was fierce and it was almost strangled at birth.

The Economist

Our society didn't fully come together over the New Deal; the opposition to it was fierce.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It was fierce fighting and lasted several hours between the security forces and Al Qaeda fighters," said Blaer Hassan, a provincial security official in Diyala.

The New York Times

When "Red" was on Broadway in 2010, with Alfred Molina as Rothko and Eddie Redmayne as the assistant, it was fierce and deeply felt.

The New York Times

It was fierce job-cutting in 2009 that may help explain why American firms have been able to increase their ad spending sharply in 2010, says Sir Martin.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

It is fierce and blunt and angry, and unapologetic about its rage; in the Guardian's phrase, it's "a sledgehammer holding a megaphone".

Huffington Post

It's fierce".

The New York Times

As fake as it's fierce.

The Guardian

It's fierce but also drawn with lively refinement.

The New York Times

The mood, as cool as it is fierce, springs from a constellation of devilishly specific details.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was fierce", ensure the context clearly establishes what 'it' refers to. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens your writing.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid overusing "it was fierce" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and nuanced vocabulary to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was fierce" functions as a descriptive expression, typically used to characterize a noun as possessing a high degree of intensity, power, or aggression. As seen in Ludwig, the phrase is commonly used in news and media to describe events, competitions, or weather conditions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Huffington Post

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was fierce" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe something characterized by intensity, strength, or aggression. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, it is advisable to use more precise language in formal academic writing. Alternatives such as "it was intense" or "it was powerful" can offer similar meanings with slight nuances. When employing this phrase, ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity and maintain impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was intense

Replaces "fierce" with "intense", focusing on the high degree of emotion or effort involved.

it was ferocious

Replaces "fierce" with "ferocious", highlighting wildness and uncontrolled intensity.

it was powerful

Substitutes "fierce" with "powerful", highlighting strength and force.

it was aggressive

Replaces "fierce" with "aggressive", emphasizing assertive and combative behavior.

it was vehement

Substitutes "fierce" with "vehement", focusing on the passionate and forceful expression of feeling.

it was brutal

Replaces "fierce" with "brutal", stressing the harsh and merciless nature of something.

it was relentless

Substitutes "fierce" with "relentless", emphasizing the continuous and unwavering nature of something.

it was extreme

Replaces "fierce" with "extreme", highlighting the excessive or exceptional degree of something.

it was acute

Substitutes "fierce" with "acute", stressing the sharp and severe nature of something.

it was spirited

Substitutes "fierce" with "spirited", focusing on the enthusiastic and determined nature of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was fierce" to describe anything characterized by intensity, strength, or aggression. For example, "The competition /s/it+was+fierce", or "The storm /s/it+was+fierce+".

What are some alternatives to "it was fierce"?

Some alternatives include /s/it+was+intense, /s/it+was+powerful, and /s/it+was+aggressive, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

While acceptable, "it was fierce" may be less appropriate for formal academic writing. Consider using more precise or nuanced alternatives like "it was intense" or "it was vigorous" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "it was fierce" and "it was intense"?

While similar, "it was fierce" often implies a more aggressive or combative quality, whereas /s/it+was+intense simply suggests a high degree of emotion or effort.