it was popular

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was popular" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that was widely liked or accepted in the past. Example: "In the 90s, grunge music was popular among teenagers and young adults."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was popular, and was in its fourth edition by 1847.

Wikipedia

It was popular as a cagebird, despite its reputation for damaging items with its beak.

Wikipedia

It was popular around Indiana, where the majority of its copies were sold.

Wikipedia

It was popular then, too.

The New York Times - Arts

It was popular theater.

The New York Times - Arts

But it was popular.

The Guardian - Tech

But there's no doubt it was popular.

The New York Times - Arts

It was used; it was popular.

The Guardian - Business

"It was before it was popular".

The New York Times

"But when we opened it was popular.

The Guardian - Travel

At the time, it was popular in Britain.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was popular" to clearly indicate past trends or widespread acceptance, providing context to historical or cultural references.

Common error

Don't use "it was popular" without specifying when or where. Always provide enough context so the reader understands the timeframe and location of the popularity. For example, instead of just saying "it was popular", specify "it was popular in the 1980s" or "it was popular in that region."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was popular" functions as a statement of past prevalence or acceptance. It asserts that something enjoyed widespread favor or common usage during a specific period. Ludwig examples confirm its use in diverse contexts, reinforcing its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

22%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was popular" effectively communicates past prevalence or widespread acceptance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility across various contexts. Its common usage in news, encyclopedias, and general writing highlights its reliability and broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure to provide sufficient context regarding time and location for clarity. Alternatives include phrases like "it was fashionable" or "it was all the rage", depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it enjoyed widespread acclaim

Focuses on the positive reception and recognition something received.

it was all the rage

Emphasizes that something was extremely fashionable or trendy for a period.

it was in vogue

Highlights the fashionable aspect and being trendy at a specific time.

it was widely accepted

Indicates broad agreement or approval of something.

it gained considerable traction

Suggests increasing popularity and momentum over time.

it became a trend

Highlights the development of a new fashion or widely adopted practice.

it was well-liked

Focuses on the favorable opinion and affection people had for something.

it experienced a surge in popularity

Indicates a sudden increase in how many people liked something.

it was fashionable

Highlights that something was trendy and stylish.

it was prevalent

Indicates that something was widespread or common during a certain period.

FAQs

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

Use "it was popular" to describe something well-liked or widely adopted at a specific time. For example: "In the 90s, grunge music "it was popular" among teenagers".

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

You can use alternatives such as "it was fashionable", "it was all the rage", or "it was widely accepted", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it was popular"?

Yes, ""it was popular"" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard subject-verb structure and is commonly used in English.

What's the difference between "it was popular" and "it is popular"?

"It was popular" indicates that something used to be well-liked or common in the past, while "it is popular" indicates that something is currently well-liked or common. The difference lies in the timeframe.