it was speed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was speed" is grammatically correct but may not be commonly used in written English without context.
You can use it when discussing a situation where speed was a defining factor or characteristic, often in a narrative or descriptive context. Example: "In the race, it was speed that determined the winner, as the fastest runner crossed the finish line first."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"It was speed at its best, and style".

The New York Times

Herman Melville said the American theme was space, Jack Kerouac said it was speed, and Big Jane is both".

The Guardian - Film

It was speed that had persuaded such prestige-sensitive governments as Japan and France to build new railways.

The Guardian

"If speed killed people there would be no Formula One racing," Mr Bloom told BBC News, arguing that it was "speed in the wrong place that kills people".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The company said it was speeding up its Supercenter expansion because of their popularity.

The New York Times

It was speeding, not reckless driving.

The New York Times

But it was speeded up by Nokia's problems.

The Economist

I mean, it's speed golf.

The New York Times

"It's speed, speed, speed," Taylor explained.

The New York Times - Magazine

At the same time, it's speed dating.

The New York Times

(My style is) emotion inside, it's speed, it's a transition game.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was speed", ensure the context clearly indicates what 'it' refers to, making the sentence unambiguous. For instance, specify: "In Formula 1, it was speed that secured the victory."

Common error

Avoid using "it was speed" in every situation where speed is relevant. Overusing this phrase without varying sentence structure can make your writing monotonous. Instead, diversify your expressions with alternatives like "velocity was critical" or "pace was essential."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was speed" functions as a nominal predicate, emphasizing speed as the defining attribute or characteristic within a given context. Examples on Ludwig illustrate its use in describing essential qualities, such as Vreeland's observation of "speed at its best, and style."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was speed" is a grammatically correct expression used to emphasize the importance of speed in a particular situation. While Ludwig identifies its usage as relatively rare, it appears in reputable news and media sources. The Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity. To enhance clarity, ensure that the context specifies what 'it' refers to when using this phrase. Consider alternatives like "velocity was the key" or "pace was critical" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

velocity was the key

Switches to a more formal synonym for speed and emphasizes its importance.

pace was critical

Replaces "speed" with "pace", highlighting the rate of movement as essential.

swiftness mattered most

Uses a different word for speed and changes the sentence structure to emphasize the importance.

the rate was decisive

Focuses on the rate of action as being the deciding factor.

acceleration determined it

Highlights the change in velocity as the determining element.

promptness was essential

Emphasizes the quickness of action as being crucial.

the swiftness was paramount

Highlights how the speed was one of the most important things about a situation.

briskness was key

Emphasizes the liveliness and quickness

rapidity was crucial

Focuses on the quickness of the event and highlights its importance

expeditiousness was vital

Highlights the efficiency with which something happens

FAQs

How can I use "it was speed" in a sentence?

Use "it was speed" to emphasize that speed was the defining characteristic or factor in a given situation. For example: "In the race, it was speed that determined the winner."

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

You can use alternatives like "velocity was the key", "pace was critical", or "swiftness mattered most" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it was speed that mattered"?

Yes, "it was speed that mattered" is grammatically correct. It emphasizes that speed was the most important factor in a particular context.

What's the difference between "it was speed" and "speed was the key"?

While both phrases convey the importance of speed, "it was speed" is more emphatic. "Speed was the key" simply states that speed was important, whereas "it was speed" highlights that speed was the defining factor.