it was phenomenal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was phenomenal" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something was exceptionally good or impressive. Example: "The concert last night was phenomenal; the energy in the crowd was electric."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He had moved from Brookhaven Calabro to MacArthur in May 2000, and "it was phenomenal for me until Sept. 11," he said.

The New York Times

For Yvonne Hawkins, a young woman who belongs to the social justice ministry at her Baptist church in Alexandria, Va., outside Washington, "it was phenomenal to hear insiders' grand anecdotes of people in the [civil rights] movement and bring it forward to today".

Los Angeles Times

"It was phenomenal.

The New York Times

"It was phenomenal," she said.

Cornell University

It was phenomenal," says Rosenblatt.

Yale University

Yesterday it was phenomenal here.

The New York Times

I was there and it was phenomenal.

The Guardian

It was phenomenal to look at.

The Guardian - Arts

"When it really worked it was phenomenal," he says.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

She responded with three A4 sheets answering all my questions it was phenomenal.

Vice

But as an event, as a location, it was phenomenal".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was phenomenal" to emphasize a positive experience or outcome, especially when describing events, performances, or achievements that exceeded expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "it was phenomenal" to describe ordinary or unremarkable experiences. Reserve it for truly exceptional situations to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was phenomenal" functions as a subject complement, where "it" is the subject and "was phenomenal" is the predicate, describing a quality or state of the subject. According to Ludwig, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

21%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was phenomenal" is a widely used and grammatically correct expression for conveying strong approval or admiration. According to Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for written English to express that something was exceptionally good or impressive. With examples predominantly sourced from News & Media and Academia, the phrase maintains a neutral register and expresses positive sentiment effectively. When using this phrase, reserve it for situations that genuinely warrant such strong praise to maintain its intended impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was extraordinary

Replaces "phenomenal" with a more formal term for something beyond the ordinary.

it was amazing

Uses a simpler and more common adjective to express strong positive emotion.

it was incredible

Emphasizes the difficulty to believe how good something was.

it was outstanding

Highlights the superior quality and distinction of something.

it was remarkable

Focuses on the noteworthy and memorable aspect of an event or experience.

it was exceptional

Indicates a deviation from the norm in a positive, superior way.

it was magnificent

Conveys a sense of grandeur and splendor.

it was superb

A more formal way to describe something of excellent quality.

it was breathtaking

Implies that something was so impressive it caused a sense of awe.

it was awe-inspiring

Similar to "breathtaking", but emphasizes the feeling of reverence or deep respect.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was phenomenal" to describe something exceptionally good or impressive. For example, "The concert last night "it was phenomenal"; the energy in the crowd was electric".

What can I say instead of "it was phenomenal"?

You can use alternatives like "it was amazing", "it was incredible", or "it was outstanding" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it was phenomenal" or "that was phenomenal"?

Both "it was phenomenal" and "that was phenomenal" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the specific context. "It" generally refers to a previously mentioned subject, while "that" can refer to something more distant or less specific.

Is "phenomenal" too strong of a word to use?

While "phenomenal" conveys strong praise, its appropriateness depends on the context. Reserve it for situations where something truly stands out. If the situation is only moderately positive, consider less emphatic alternatives.