it was good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it was good' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express that something was positive and satisfactory. For example, "The food at the restaurant was amazing - it was good!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

It was good news.

Princeton University

So it was good.

Princeton University

It was good.

Cornell University

It was good advice.

Harvard University

It was good timing.

The Economist

It was good copy.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

It's good luck.

The New Yorker

"Eventually it's good.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's good advertising".

The New Yorker

It's good money.

The New Yorker

(It's good, too).

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was good" when you want to express a general sense of approval or satisfaction. Consider adding more specific adjectives to convey a more nuanced meaning. For example, instead of "it was good", you could say "it was surprisingly good" or "it was remarkably good".

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "good" as your descriptive adjective. While "it was good" is acceptable, enriching your vocabulary with more descriptive words such as "delicious", "effective", or "memorable" enhances clarity and engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was good" functions primarily as a subject complement, providing a description or evaluation of the subject (it). It typically expresses approval, satisfaction, or a positive assessment, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was good" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to convey approval, satisfaction, or a positive assessment. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is versatile and applicable in numerous contexts, though more descriptive language may be preferable in formal writing. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Academia, making it a generally neutral expression appropriate for diverse communication settings. While simple, "it was good" effectively communicates a positive sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was satisfactory

Replaces "good" with a more formal synonym, implying a basic level of acceptance.

it was acceptable

Indicates that something met the minimum requirements or standards.

it was excellent

Emphasizes a higher level of quality or performance than just "good".

it was alright

Expresses a more casual and less enthusiastic approval.

it was not bad

A litotes construction, meaning "it was good" by negating the opposite.

it proved beneficial

Focuses on the positive effects or advantages resulting from something.

it turned out well

Highlights the positive outcome of a situation or event.

it served its purpose

Indicates that something effectively fulfilled its intended function.

it hit the spot

An idiomatic expression meaning that something was exactly what was needed or desired.

it left a positive impression

Indicates that something created a favorable feeling or memory.

FAQs

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

The phrase "it was good" is versatile and can be used to express satisfaction or approval about virtually anything. For example, "The concert was amazing, "it was good"", or "The solution worked, "it was good"".

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "it was satisfactory", "it was excellent", or "it was acceptable" to convey different degrees of approval or satisfaction.

Is "it was good" too simple for formal writing?

While "it was good" is perfectly acceptable in many contexts, formal writing often benefits from more descriptive and specific language. Consider using stronger adjectives or more complex sentence structures to convey your meaning more precisely. For example, rather than saying ""it was good"", you might say "it proved highly effective" or "it yielded positive results".

How can I make the phrase "it was good" more impactful?

To make the phrase "it was good" more impactful, consider adding adverbs or qualifiers to enhance the meaning. For example, instead of just saying ""it was good"", you could say "it was surprisingly good", "it was exceptionally good", or "it was remarkably good".