it was really that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was really that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize a point or to clarify a situation, often in response to a question or statement. Example: "When I asked if the movie was good, she replied, 'It was really that amazing!'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

It was really that serendipitous".

The New York Times - Travel

It was really that dramatic".

The New York Times

So it was really that experience that turned me around.

The Guardian - Tech

A handful of votes in Florida: it was really that close.

The Economist

It was really that first astonishing glimpse that inspired the novel.

The Guardian - Books

In the final analysis, I think it was really that simple".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

It's really that simple.

The New York Times

"It's really that basic," he said.

The New York Times

"It's really that simple," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

I mean, it's really that crude".

The New York Times

It is really that simple".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was really that" to express surprise or disbelief, emphasizing that something was more significant or intense than initially perceived.

Common error

Avoid using "it was really that" for minor situations. Reserve it for instances where the emphasis is genuinely warranted to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was really that" functions as an intensifier and clarifier. It is used to emphasize a preceding statement or situation, confirming its significance or degree. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

11%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was really that" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to emphasize or clarify a preceding statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to add intensity and affirmation, often conveying surprise or agreement. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register and can be effectively used to highlight the significance of a situation. Alternatives such as ""it truly was that"" or "that's exactly how it was" can be employed to achieve a similar effect while varying the tone or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it truly was that

Replaces "really" with "truly", emphasizing the sincerity of the statement.

it genuinely was that

Replaces "really" with "genuinely", highlighting the authenticity of the statement.

it actually was that

Replaces "really" with "actually", emphasizing the factual aspect of the statement.

it honestly was that

Replaces "really" with "honestly", focusing on the speaker's sincerity.

it literally was that

Replaces "really" with "literally", potentially indicating a more extreme or unexpected situation.

it proved to be that

Shifts the emphasis to the outcome or result, rather than a direct affirmation.

that's exactly how it was

Rephrases the statement to directly confirm the preceding information.

that's how it genuinely was

Emphasizes that something actually happened in a particular way.

it was indeed of that nature

Introduces a more formal tone while still confirming the truth of the matter.

the reality was of that degree

Emphasizes the degree or intensity of the situation, adding a sense of realism.

FAQs

How can I use "it was really that" in a sentence?

You can use "it was really that" to emphasize a point or clarify a situation. For example: "I didn't think the exam would be so difficult, but "it was really that" challenging!"

What phrases are similar to "it was really that"?

Alternatives to "it was really that" include "it truly was that", "it genuinely was that", or "that is how it was", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it was really that good" the same as "it was that really good"?

No, the phrase "it was that really good" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "it was really that good", where "really" modifies "that good" to emphasize the degree of goodness.

What's the difference between "it was really that bad" and "it was just that bad"?

"It was really that bad" emphasizes the unexpectedly high degree of badness. "It was just that bad" can imply a similar degree but may also suggest acceptance or resignation to the situation, rather than surprise.