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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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it was has

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was has" is not correct and usable in written English.
It appears to be a grammatical error, as "was" and "has" cannot be used together in this way. Example: "It was has been a long time since we last met." (This is incorrect.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Well, Friday's dismal jobs report showed that the Bush boom, such as it was, has run its course.

News & Media

The New York Times

At the same time, the devaluation of January 2002, chaotic though it was, has started to do its work: exports are growing, and local products are being substituted for imports.

News & Media

The Economist

His soul, such as it was, has been excised.

But that achievement, laudable though it was, has been surpassed.

That fund, paltry though it was, has barely been used.

Quite what caused the abscess, or exactly how severe it was, has not been revealed.

News & Media

The Economist
Show more...

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

"Whoever it is has to.

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

Leave until it is has become cold.

It's had an uprising.

News & Media

The New York Times

It's had it.

Now it is having a renaissance.

News & Media

The Economist
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "it was has" in your writing. Use either "it was" or "it has been" depending on the intended meaning to ensure grammatical correctness.

Common error

Don't mix past and present perfect tenses. Using "was" (past) and "has" (present perfect) together creates a grammatically incorrect phrase. Choose the appropriate tense based on the time frame you are referring to.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

60%

Authority and reliability

1.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was has" is grammatically incorrect and does not serve a recognized function in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment, showing no valid usage.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was has" is an ungrammatical construction and should be avoided in formal and informal writing. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is incorrect and doesn't follow standard English grammar rules. To correct this, use either "it was" for past events or "it has been" for ongoing or recently completed actions. Always ensure proper tense usage to convey your intended meaning accurately.

FAQs

Why is "it was has" considered grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "it was has" combines a past tense verb ("was") with a present perfect auxiliary verb ("has"), which doesn't follow standard English grammar rules. It's best to use either "it was" or "it has been" depending on the context.

What are some correct alternatives to "it was has"?

Depending on the intended meaning, you can use phrases like "it was" to refer to something in the past, or "it has been" to indicate something that started in the past and continues to the present.

How do I choose between "it was" and "it has been"?

"It was" is used for past events or states that are finished, while "it has been" is used for situations that started in the past and continue to the present or have a present relevance.

Can "it was has" ever be correct in any dialect of English?

No, "it was has" is not considered correct in any standard dialect of English. It is generally regarded as a grammatical error.

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Authority and reliability

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: