it was marathon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was marathon" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to refer to a marathon event or experience, but it lacks proper grammatical structure. Example: "It was a marathon of a day, filled with back-to-back meetings and deadlines."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It was "Marathon Monday" in Boston.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It was a marathon - almost 70 minutes.

The Guardian

It was a marathon with a sprint finish, a mass sprint finish.

Independent

"It was a marathon for her, this movie," says Logan Marshall-Green, who plays Holloway.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was a marathon and, in hindsight, we were winning/losing.

Vice

It was the largest marathon held anywhere.

The New York Times

It was my first marathon.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was his worst marathon moment.

The New York Times - Sports

You're 33, and it was your 9th marathon.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was just a marathon".

BBC

It was like a marathon.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you wish to say that something resembles a marathon, ensure that it is grammatically correct. Instead of "It was marathon", say "It was like a marathon" or "It felt like a marathon".

Common error

A common mistake is omitting the article "a" or "the" before "marathon". Saying "It was marathon" is grammatically incorrect. Always include the article to ensure proper grammar: "It was a marathon".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was marathon" is an incomplete predication. As Ludwig AI explains, it lacks the necessary article ("a" or "the") to function correctly as a descriptive statement. It requires modification to form a grammatically sound sentence.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was marathon" is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI clearly indicates, it needs an article ("a" or "the") to be correct, becoming "it was a marathon". The intended meaning is to describe something as long and arduous. While sources like The New Yorker and The Guardian use related phrases, the uncorrected phrase is rare and should be avoided in formal writing. Instead, opt for "it was a marathon" or alternative expressions such as "it was a long process" to convey the intended meaning effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was a marathon

Adds the article "a" to create a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase.

it was a long process

Replaces "marathon" with a more general term, focusing on the duration of the event.

it was an endurance test

Emphasizes the challenging and demanding nature of the experience.

it was a grueling task

Highlights the difficulty and exhaustion involved in the activity.

it was a lengthy affair

Focuses on the extended duration and involvement required.

it was a drawn-out ordeal

Conveys a sense of unpleasantness and prolonged suffering.

the task felt like a marathon

Uses a simile to compare the task to a marathon, emphasizing its length and difficulty.

it required immense stamina

Emphasizes the need for sustained effort and resilience.

it demanded considerable time and effort

Explicitly states the resources required for the activity.

the project stretched on and on

Illustrates the seemingly endless nature of the undertaking.

FAQs

How can I properly use the word "marathon" in a sentence to describe a long activity?

To correctly use "marathon" to describe a long activity, phrase it as "it was a marathon" or "it felt like a marathon". The article "a" is crucial for grammatical correctness. Alternatively, consider using phrases like "it was a long process" or "it was an endurance test".

What are some alternatives to saying something "was a marathon"?

Instead of saying something "was a marathon", which is grammatically incorrect, you can use phrases like "it was a long process", "it was an endurance test", or "it was a grueling task", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it was marathon" or should I add an article?

It is grammatically incorrect to say "it was marathon". You should always add the article "a" to make it "it was a marathon". Without the article, the sentence violates basic English grammar rules.

How does adding "like" change the meaning of "it was a marathon"?

Saying "it was like a marathon" implies a comparison. It suggests the activity shared characteristics with a marathon, such as length, difficulty, or endurance requirements. The phrase "it was a marathon", without the 'like', is the grammatically correct way to express this sentiment directly.