it was november

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was November" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a specific time in the past, often to set the scene or provide context in a narrative. Example: "It was November when the leaves began to fall, painting the ground in shades of orange and brown."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

It was November 9th.

The New Yorker

It was November in Colorado, after all.

The New Yorker

It was November 8th Election Day.

The New Yorker

It was November, and the ball season was drawing near.

The New York Times - Travel

It had been mailed in October; it was November now.

The New Yorker

It was November; the city's scattered trees had begun to turn brown.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

It was November 1999, a month before the millennium.

Vice

It was November 23rd, fourteen months after he received his diagnosis.

The New Yorker

It was November 2003 and Gordon Brown was in his pomp.

The Guardian - Books

It was November 1966 and Davis was the general manager of the Oakland Raiders, scouting the Aztecs.

The New York Times - Sports

And in the case of The 700 Club, Pat Robertson's daily evangelical news broadcast, it was November 3 2004.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was november" to set the scene in a narrative, providing context for the events that follow. For example, "It was november, and the first snow had already fallen, blanketing the city in white."

Common error

Avoid using "it is november" when referring to a past event. Ensure the tense aligns with the timeline you're describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was november" primarily functions as an introductory element to set the temporal context for a narrative or description. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, often used to introduce a setting or provide background information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was november" is a common and grammatically sound way to introduce a narrative by establishing the time frame. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's frequently used in news and media to set the scene or provide context. While simple, this phrase effectively grounds the reader or listener in a specific moment, paving the way for the unfolding events. While the phrase itself is neutral, its overall effectiveness hinges on the subsequent details that bring the november setting to life.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the month was november

Rephrases to emphasize the month itself as the subject.

november of that year

Focuses on emphasizing a specific year in November.

november arrived

Emphasizes the arrival of the month rather than stating a fact about it.

november had come

Highlights the completion of November's arrival.

we were in november

Shifts the focus to the experience of being in November.

the date was in november

Emphasizing the date which took place in November.

it happened in november

Focuses on an event occurring during the month.

november marked the occasion

November is presented as the starting point.

the calendar read november

Referencing to the presence of the month November on the calendar.

i recall it being november

Personal recollection of events that happened in November.

FAQs

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

Use "it was november" to establish the time frame for a story or event. For instance, "it was november, and the city was preparing for Thanksgiving".

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

Alternatives include "november arrived", "the month was november", or "it happened in november" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "it was in november"?

While "it was november" is more direct, "it was in november" is also grammatically correct and commonly used, especially when providing additional context or specifying a particular event within that month.

What's the difference between "it was november" and "november of that year"?

"it was november" simply states the time frame, while "november of that year" emphasizes a specific year, providing a more precise temporal reference.