it was purely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was purely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something was done or experienced in a manner that is entirely one way, without any mixture or influence from other factors. Example: "The decision was made purely based on the data presented during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was purely logical.

The New York Times

It was purely serendipitous.

The New York Times

It was purely for me".

Independent

"It was purely political".

The New York Times

It was purely platonic.

The New Yorker

It was purely sexual.

The Guardian - Film

It was purely economic.

The Guardian - Business

It was purely a qualitative idea.

The New Yorker

"It was purely financial," Schiano said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was purely luck," Park said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was purely financial," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was purely", ensure that the context clearly supports the exclusion of other factors. Overusing it might make your writing sound overly assertive or dismissive.

Common error

Avoid using "it was purely" when there are other contributing factors, however minor. Acknowledge any secondary influences to maintain credibility and avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was purely" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to emphasize the exclusiveness of a particular attribute or cause. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is used to indicate that something is only one thing without any mixture.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was purely" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to emphasize the singular nature of a cause, motive, or attribute. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and usability across various writing styles. As demonstrated by Ludwig examples, this expression appears most frequently in "News & Media" but is also present in "Encyclopedias". To ensure effective communication, consider its usage in contexts where exclusivity needs to be strongly conveyed, but be mindful of potential overstatements. Alternatives include phrases like "it was solely" and "it was entirely", offering subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was solely

Replaces "purely" with "solely", emphasizing that something is the only factor involved.

it was entirely

Replaces "purely" with "entirely", highlighting the completeness of the action or state.

it was simply

Replaces "purely" with "simply", suggesting that something was straightforward and nothing more.

it was merely

Replaces "purely" with "merely", indicating that something was only that and nothing else.

it was completely

Similar to "entirely", but can suggest a slightly stronger degree of completeness.

it was strictly

Replaces "purely" with "strictly", conveying that something adhered to specific constraints and nothing outside of that.

it was exclusively

Replaces "purely" with "exclusively", emphasizing that something belongs only to a particular group or purpose.

it was only

Conveys a similar meaning by highlighting the singleness of the cause or nature.

it was just

Implies that something was nothing more than what is stated.

it was uniquely

Highlights that something was distinct and singular in its nature.

FAQs

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

Use "it was purely" to emphasize that an action, decision, or feeling stemmed from a single source or cause, excluding any other contributing factors. For example, "The decision "it was purely" based on financial considerations".

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

You can use alternatives like "it was solely", "it was entirely", or "it was simply" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "it was purely" or "it was purely and simply"?

"It was purely" is grammatically correct and commonly used. Adding "and simply" can sometimes sound redundant, but it can also add emphasis depending on the context. Choose the phrasing that best suits the tone and clarity of your writing.

What is the difference between "it was purely" and "it was mostly"?

"It was purely" indicates that something was exclusively one thing, with no other factors involved. "It was mostly" indicates that something was primarily one thing, but with the possibility of other contributing factors.