it was so large

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was so large" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is significantly bigger than expected or compared to something else. Example: "The elephant was standing in the middle of the road, and I couldn't believe it; it was so large that it blocked our path completely."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

There were probably similarly color-coded parts of the building elsewhere around its circumference, although it was so large that those two were all we could see from where we were.

Huffington Post

It was so large its claws protruded beyond the bread.

The New York Times

Ms. Ferree added that while she supported the quilt, she believed its place in the AIDS community had diminished in part because it was so large that it was rarely seen in its entirety.

The New York Times

But the Reactable never caught on the way some people thought it would, largely due to the fact that it was so large and expensive.

Vice

It was so large that a wall had to be torn down to get it out.

The Washington Post

It was so large and unobstructed that Movius could see all the way to the building's rear wall.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

It's so large".

The New York Times

"The scale of it's so large.

The Guardian

"The great thing about the United States is that it's so large," he said.

The New York Times

The most striking fact about the population of Greater Tokyo is that it is so large.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is so large that some historians once believed it was the mother church of Lincoln Cathedral.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was so large" to convey a sense of surprise or emphasis regarding the size of something. For instance, 'The crowd was larger than expected; it was so large that it overflowed into the streets'.

Common error

Avoid using "it was so large" as a mere intensifier without providing context or specific details. Instead of saying 'The project was so large', specify what made it large: 'The project was so large, encompassing multiple departments and spanning several years'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was so large" functions as an adjective phrase, used to describe the size of a noun. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples of this phrase describing physical objects, spaces, and even abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

17%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was so large" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize the size of something. As Ludwig AI indicates, its neutrality makes it suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports to encyclopedic entries. While versatile, avoid overuse by providing specific context on what makes it large. For increased expressiveness, consider related phrases like "it was exceptionally big" or "its dimensions were considerable" to diversify your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was exceptionally big

Replaces 'so large' with a more direct and slightly more emphatic description.

it reached an enormous size

Shifts the focus slightly to the process of becoming large.

it was of such magnitude

Emphasizes the scale or importance rather than just size.

it was incredibly vast

Emphasizes the immensity and breadth.

it was remarkably expansive

Highlights the extent or reach of something, implying a wide area or scope.

it was strikingly outsized

Emphasizes how unusual the size is.

its proportions were immense

Highlights the scale relative to other parts or standards.

its dimensions were considerable

Focuses on measurable size, using a more formal tone.

it occupied a substantial area

Describes the physical space that something covers.

it had a colossal footprint

Uses a metaphorical term to describe the size or impact.

FAQs

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

Use "it was so large" to emphasize the unexpected or noteworthy size of something. For example, "The cake "it was so large" that we had to use a separate table to display it."

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

You can use alternatives such as "it was exceptionally big", "it was remarkably expansive", or "it reached an enormous size" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it is so large" instead of "it was so large"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct. "It is so large" describes something that is currently large, while ""it was so large"" describes something that was large in the past.

What does "its dimensions were considerable" mean, and how does it compare to "it was so large"?

"Its dimensions were considerable" is a more formal way of saying something was very large. While ""it was so large"" is more general, "its dimensions were considerable" specifically refers to measurable aspects like height, width, or depth.