it was sunday

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was Sunday" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific event or situation that occurred on a Sunday in the past. Example: "It was Sunday when we decided to go for a long hike in the mountains."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was Sunday, early morning.

The New York Times

It was Sunday.

The Washington Post

It was Sunday again.

The New Yorker

It was Sunday morning, Mother's Day.

The New York Times - Sports

It was Sunday, not Monday.

The New York Times - Books

It was Sunday, not Saturday.

The New York Times - Arts

It was Sunday in the suburbs.

The New York Times

It was Sunday morning, 30 August.

The Guardian

"Mais, c'est dimanche!" -- it was Sunday.

The New York Times - Travel

She woke the next morning and knew it was Sunday.

The New Yorker

Sunday Fun Day It was Sunday at McCarren Park.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was Sunday" to set the scene or provide context for a narrative. It can help the reader understand the pace and atmosphere of your story.

Common error

Avoid mixing past and present tenses when describing events that happened on that Sunday. For example, instead of saying "It was Sunday, and she goes to the store", say "It was Sunday, and she went to the store".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was Sunday" primarily functions as an introductory clause or sentence fragment that establishes the temporal setting of a narrative. It immediately informs the reader or listener that the events being described took place on a Sunday.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Science

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was Sunday" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to establish a specific temporal context. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase acts as a temporal anchor, setting the scene for narratives. Ludwig confirms its validity and usability, and it’s a versatile phrase suitable for various registers. While simple, ensuring tense consistency is crucial when using it. Alternatives like "the day was Sunday" exist, the original phrase remains a straightforward and effective way to orient your audience in time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

On that Sunday

A more concise way to indicate an event occurred on Sunday.

Sunday it was

Reverses the word order for emphasis or stylistic variation.

The day was Sunday

Emphasizes the day itself, rather than the event.

That day was Sunday

Highlights a specific Sunday being referred to.

It happened on Sunday

Focuses on an event occurring on that particular Sunday.

Sunday came and

Implies a sequence of events starting with Sunday.

The Sunday in question

Specifies a particular Sunday previously mentioned.

That fateful Sunday

Adds a sense of importance or destiny to the Sunday.

Sunday marked

Highlights Sunday as the beginning or cause of something

Sunday arrived and

Describes the passing of time until Sunday

FAQs

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

Use "it was Sunday" to set a specific time or day in your narrative. For example, "It was Sunday, and the streets were quiet".

What are some alternatives to saying "it was Sunday"?

You could say "the day was Sunday" or "that day was Sunday" for a slight variation in emphasis.

Is it ever incorrect to use "it was Sunday"?

The phrase is grammatically correct. However, ensure it fits the context of your writing. If the specific day isn't important, you might opt for a more general phrase.

What's the difference between "it was Sunday" and "on Sunday"?

"It was Sunday" sets the scene or provides context, while "on Sunday" more directly indicates when an event occurred. For example, "It was Sunday, and we went to the park" versus "We went to the park on Sunday".