it was so

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "it was so" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize an emotion, point, or opinion in a sentence, such as: "I was so excited, it was so wonderful!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It was so hectic.

The New York Times

"It was so bittersweet.

The New York Times - Arts

"It was so refreshing".

The New York Times - Magazine

It was so bloody.

The New York Times

"It was so touching.

The New York Times

It was so oppressive.

The Guardian

It was so shameful.

The New Yorker

"It was so shiny.

Independent

It was so stupid".

The New York Times

"It was so quiet.

The New York Times

It was so frightening".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was so" to emphasize a specific quality or feeling, but avoid overuse to maintain impact. Variety in expression makes writing more engaging.

Common error

Avoid stringing together multiple sentences that begin with "it was so". Vary sentence structure to improve readability and maintain reader interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was so" functions as an intensifier, adding emphasis to an adjective or adverb that follows. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Examples from Ludwig show its use in expressing strong feelings or characteristics, such as "it was so romantic" or "it was so frightening".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was so" is a grammatically sound and very common way to intensify an adjective or adverb, expressing a strong degree of a quality or emotion. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. It's frequently found in news and media contexts, though primarily used in a neutral to slightly informal register. To enhance writing, avoid overuse and consider alternatives like "it was exceptionally" or "that was truly" to maintain impact and variety. By understanding its nuances, you can effectively integrate "it was so" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it definitely was

Underscores the certainty or lack of doubt about a particular quality.

it really was

Emphasizes the truth or reality of a statement.

that was truly

Similar to "it really was", but often used to express a stronger sense of awe or admiration.

it was exceptionally

Highlights that something exceeded ordinary expectations.

it proved to be

This emphasizes the result or outcome of a situation.

it turned out to be

Similar to "it proved to be", but often implies a surprising or unexpected result.

it seemed extremely

Focuses on the perception or appearance of something to a great degree.

it felt incredibly

Emphasizes the feeling or sensation associated with something.

it appeared remarkably

Highlights how something looked or seemed, noting its unusual or noteworthy quality.

the experience was very

Shifts the focus to the overall experience and its intensity.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "it was so" in a sentence?

Use "it was so" to highlight a particular attribute or emotional impact. For example, "it was so touching" conveys a strong feeling of emotional connection.

What are some alternatives to using "it was so"?

Consider using phrases like "it was exceptionally", "it really was", or "it definitely was" for a similar emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "it was so"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. However, starting multiple consecutive sentences this way can sound repetitive. Varying sentence structure enhances readability.

How does the formality of "it was so" compare to other phrases?

"It was so" is generally neutral to informal. For more formal contexts, consider phrases like "it proved to be" or "it turned out to be".