it was scheme

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was scheme" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be missing an article or a preposition, such as "a" or "the," to clarify the meaning. Example: "At first, I thought it was a scheme to deceive us."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It was scheme against Cecil.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Cameron fired back that the decision was Labour's fault: "You broke the nation so badly that it's schemes like this that can't be continued with".

The Guardian

It is schemed to manipulate the relative position and attitude synchronously.

Chinese Journal of Aeronautics

I no longer think it was a scheme, but it isn't a novel, either.

The New York Times - Books

It was a scheme devised by Lovie Smith, the Rams' defensive coordinator.

The New York Times - Sports

It was a scheme hatched while passing the Grey Poupon.

Forbes

I knew it was a scheme, but I didn't know all the elements.

Vice

"It wasn't schemed for me to touch the ball a lot".

The New York Times - Sports

It was an elaborate scheme.

The New Yorker

"They said it was a socialist scheme.

The New York Times

"It was the perfect scheme," Dunnavant said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always include an article ("a", "an", or "the") before "scheme" unless you're using it as a verb. For example, use "it was a scheme" to describe something as a plan. Consider replacing it entirely with "plan" or "strategy" to improve clarity and correctness.

Common error

A frequent error is leaving out the article before "scheme" when it functions as a noun. This omission leads to ungrammatical sentences. Ensure you use "a scheme" or "the scheme" to maintain proper sentence structure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was scheme" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form, "it was a scheme" or "it was the scheme", functions as a subject complement, identifying or describing the subject ("it"). The absence of the article makes the phrase grammatically unsound, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was scheme" is grammatically incorrect due to the missing article. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct forms are "it was a scheme" or "it was the scheme", functioning as a subject complement to identify something as a plan or project. While examples exist, they are limited. The phrase's register depends on context, ranging from neutral to formal, with primary use in News & Media and Science domains. Therefore, ensure the inclusion of an article and consider the context to ensure the appropriateness of the phrase in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was a scheme

Adds the necessary article "a" to make the phrase grammatically correct.

it was the scheme

Adds the article "the", suggesting a specific or previously mentioned scheme.

it proved to be a scheme

Indicates that something turned out to be a scheme after the fact.

it was part of a scheme

Highlights that the matter was only one element of a larger scheme.

it involved a scheme

Rephrases to emphasize involvement in a plan, rather than identification.

it functioned as a scheme

Emphasizes the operational role something played as a plan.

it constituted a scheme

Uses more formal language to indicate that something formed a plan.

it operated as a scheme

Focuses on how something worked in practice as a plan.

it resembled a scheme

Suggests the situation looked like a plan, even if it wasn't one.

it had all the hallmarks of a scheme

Conveys that something showed clear signs of being a plan.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say "it was scheme"?

The grammatically correct way to phrase this is "it was a scheme" or "it was the scheme", depending on whether you're referring to a general plan or a specific one.

Can I use "scheme" as a verb instead of a noun?

Yes, you can use "scheme" as a verb. For example, "they schemed to take over the company". However, the original phrase "it was scheme" doesn't work because "was" requires a noun or adjective complement.

What can I say instead of "it was a scheme" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you might say "it constituted a "strategy"" or "it proved to be a carefully devised "plan"".

Is "scheme" always negative?

While "scheme" often carries a negative connotation, implying a secret or underhanded plan, it can also be neutral, simply meaning a plan or system. Context is key to determining its connotation.