it was joking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "It was joking" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to suggest that something that was said in jest was not meant to be taken seriously. For example, you might say, "I said I'd give you a million dollars, but it was joking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It's not that I don't believe she'll do it, since if there's one thing this party has proved beyond doubt, it's its determination to enact ideas about which I initially assumed it was joking.

The Guardian - Opinion

But I thought it was joking, banter".

The New Yorker

"Even though it was joking, some of those notes about putting a hit out – that's some reckless stuff".

The Guardian

"Some of it was joking: 'If you are going to play center field, please use a helmet,' " said Freel, who had three daughters with him, now ranging in age from 4 to 8.

The New York Times - Sports

"Sometime it was joking, sometimes it was serious.

BBC

Rogers said, "Whether it was joking or whether it was malicious, I just heard so many different things that scarred me and made me think that there's no chance I'm ever going to come out -- ever -- to anyone.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It was joked about.

The New York Times

"Everybody was joking about it.

Independent

It's jokes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was a joke, and it was a lighthearted joke.

Huffington Post

It was a joke".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was joking" to clarify that a statement was not intended to be taken seriously, especially in situations where the tone might be misinterpreted.

Common error

Avoid using "it was joking" to dismiss genuine concerns or feelings. Ensure the context is appropriate and that clarifying a statement as a joke doesn't invalidate someone else's experience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was joking" serves as a declarative statement to clarify that a previous remark or action was not intended to be taken seriously. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, particularly when emphasizing the unserious nature of something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was joking" is a phrase used to clarify that a previous statement was not meant to be taken seriously. While grammatically correct and confirmed usable by Ludwig AI, it's most appropriate in neutral contexts like news reports or casual conversations. Related phrases such as "it was kidding" and "it was meant as a joke" offer similar ways to convey the same idea. It's important to use this phrase thoughtfully to avoid dismissing genuine concerns, and it should be recognized that the frequency of the expression is uncommon with authoritative sources slightly preferring alternatives like "it was a joke".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was kidding

Replaces "joking" with a synonym, maintaining the same meaning of not being serious.

it was all in jest

Emphasizes that the statement was made as a joke and not intended to be harmful or serious.

it was meant as a joke

Focuses on the intention behind the statement, clarifying it was not meant to be taken seriously.

it was said in jest

Highlights that the statement was made playfully.

it was a playful remark

Substitutes "joking" with a more descriptive term, highlighting the lighthearted nature of the comment.

it was not serious

Simplifies the phrase to directly state that the comment should not be taken seriously.

it was lighthearted banter

Emphasizes the informal and playful nature of the exchange.

it was only a joke

Highlights that it's a joke and nothing more serious should be read into it.

i was only teasing

Shifts the focus to the speaker's action of teasing, implying it wasn't meant seriously.

it was facetious

Uses a more formal term to indicate that the statement was not meant to be taken literally.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was joking" to clarify that something you said was not meant to be taken seriously. For example, "I told him I'd quit my job, but "it was joking"."

What's a more formal way to say "it was joking"?

In a more formal setting, you might say "it was said in jest" or "it was meant as a joke" to convey the same meaning.

Is "it was joking" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was joking" is grammatically correct, although it's more common to say "it was a joke" or "I was joking" depending on who made the joke.

When is it appropriate to use "it was joking"?

Use "it was joking" when you need to emphasize that a previous statement was not intended to be taken seriously and should be understood as humorous or lighthearted.