it was sort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was sort" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "it was sort of"? You can use "it was sort of" to indicate that something is somewhat true or to express a degree of uncertainty or vagueness about a statement. Example: "It was sort of a surprise when she showed up at the party unexpectedly."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And it was, sort of.

The New York Times

"It was sort of odd".

The New York Times

It was sort of magical.

The New Yorker

It was sort of abstract.

The New Yorker

It was sort of cool.

Princeton University

"It was sort of a disrespect.

The New York Times

So it was sort of a chance.

The New York Times

"It was sort of the heyday.

The New Yorker

It was sort of mesmerizing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

It was sort of delusional".

The New York Times

It was sort of a small oasis.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "sort of" instead of "sort" to correctly convey a sense of approximation or uncertainty. The correct phrase is "it was sort of".

Common error

Avoid using "sort" without "of" when you intend to express approximation. Saying "it was sort" is grammatically incorrect. Instead, use "it was sort of" to maintain grammatical accuracy and convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was sort" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form, "it was sort of", functions as a qualifier or hedge, indicating a degree of approximation or uncertainty. Ludwig AI indicates that "it was sort" is not correct in English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The query "it was sort" is flagged by Ludwig AI as grammatically incorrect; the correct phrasing is "it was sort of". This phrase acts as an informal qualifier, indicating approximation or uncertainty. When writing, ensure you include the "of" to maintain grammatical correctness and effectively convey your intended meaning. In more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "it was somewhat" or "it appeared to be" for increased precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was sort of

Adds the 'of' to make the phrase grammatically correct and convey a sense of approximation.

it was somewhat

Replaces "sort" with "somewhat" to indicate a degree or extent.

it was kind of

Uses "kind of" instead of "sort" to express a similar level of informality and approximation.

it was a bit

Uses "a bit" to express a slight degree or extent.

it was slightly

Replaces "sort" with "slightly" to indicate a small degree.

it seemed like

Shifts the focus to perception, suggesting an appearance or impression.

it appeared to be

Offers a more formal way to express a similar sense of observation or impression.

it was vaguely

Indicates an unclear or indistinct impression.

it was nearly

Expresses that something is close to being the case, but not quite.

it was almost

Similar to "nearly", indicating something close to being a certain way.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say something was 'kind of' or 'sort of'?

The correct phrasing is to include "of". For example, use "it was sort of" or "it was kind of", not "it was sort" or "it was kind". Using "sort of" or "kind of" indicates an approximation or a degree of uncertainty.

What can I say instead of "it was sort of"?

You can use alternatives like "it was somewhat", "it seemed like", or "it appeared to be" depending on the context.

Is 'it was sort' grammatically correct?

No, "it was sort" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrase is "it was sort of". The addition of "of" is essential to convey the intended meaning of approximation or qualification.

What is the difference between "it was sort" and "it was sort of"?

"It was sort" is grammatically incorrect. "It was sort of" is the correct phrase and is used to express that something is approximately true or to indicate a degree of uncertainty. Using "it was sort" omits the necessary "of" and creates an ungrammatical sentence.