it was race

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was race" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey a specific meaning, but it lacks clarity and grammatical structure. Example: "In the context of the competition, it was race that determined the outcome."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

It was race and rage.

The New York Times

"For me, it was sexuality, it was race, it was class".

The New York Times - Books

It was race they hoped would prove the colt's mettle as a top 3-year-old contender.

The New York Times - Sports

(Rooney) 'Leap of Faith' (in previews; opens on Thursday) A couple of seasons ago it was race; now it's religion.

The New York Times

It was race night and the birdmen talked to one another about storm fronts and prevailing winds.

The New York Times

But it was race, rather than birthdates or preference for flats, that really separated our feminist grandmas.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

I don't think it was race-specific.

The Guardian - Film

My mind, such as it was, raced.

Forbes

It is race.

The New York Times

The issue is as much class as it is race.

The New Yorker

It's race, too.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity and grammatical correctness, use "it was a race" when referring to a competition or "it was about race" when discussing race as a topic.

Common error

Avoid omitting necessary articles or prepositions. While colloquial speech might sometimes skip these, formal writing requires them for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was race" functions as an incomplete clause, lacking a necessary article or preposition to form a grammatically sound sentence. Ludwig AI indicates that standard written English would benefit from restructuring the phrase for clarity. Examples show variations, but the core issue is grammatical incompleteness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was race" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English. As Ludwig AI highlights, it often requires the addition of an article (such as "a" in "it was a race") or a preposition (such as "about" in "it was about race") to achieve clarity and grammatical correctness. While examples can be found in news and media, it's best to opt for more precise and grammatically sound alternatives in formal writing to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was a race

Adding the article 'a' clarifies the intended meaning of a competition.

it was about race

Using 'about' indicates the topic or subject matter.

race was the issue

Rephrasing to emphasize race as the central problem or concern.

the deciding factor was race

Clarifying that race played a crucial role in determining the outcome.

race played a role

Indicating race had some influence or effect.

race was significant

Highlighting the importance or relevance of race in a given context.

race was the key

Suggesting that race was the most important element or aspect.

race predominated

Indicating that race was the overriding or dominant factor.

race was central

Emphasizing race as the core or focal point.

race mattered most

Highlighting that race had the greatest impact or consequence.

FAQs

How can I properly use the term "it was race" in a sentence?

While the phrase "it was race" is grammatically incorrect, you can use alternatives like "it was a race" when referring to a competition, or "it was about race" when discussing race as a topic.

What's a better way to phrase "it was race" to discuss racial issues?

Instead of "it was race", consider using phrases like "race was the issue", "race played a role", or "race was significant" for clarity and grammatical correctness.

Is "it was race" ever considered grammatically correct?

In standard written English, "it was race" is not grammatically correct. The addition of an article (e.g., "it was a race") or a preposition (e.g., "it was about race") is necessary for proper grammar.

What is the difference between "it was race" and "it was a race"?

"It was race" is grammatically incomplete and unclear. "It was a race" refers to a competition or contest involving speed, while alternatives must be used when referring to the topic of race in a wider context.