it was sunny

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was sunny" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a particular day or to set the scene for a story. For example: "It was a beautiful day—the sun was shining brightly and it was sunny."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It was sunny and warm.

The New York Times - Travel

It was sunny upstate.

The New York Times

It was sunny but chilly out.

The New York Times

"It was sunny, in winter.

The New York Times - Arts

It was sunny, and I was happy.

The New York Times

At first it was sunny and dry.

The New York Times

It was sunny but not yet steaming.

The New Yorker

It was sunny, and we were holding hands.

The New York Times

It was sunny in Sydney, Australia, on Thursday morning.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"It's sunny.

The New York Times

If it's sunny, great.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "it was sunny" to create a sense of optimism or to contrast with a previous negative event. For instance, "After the storm, it was sunny, bringing a renewed sense of hope."

Common error

Avoid starting every descriptive passage with "it was sunny". Vary your sentence structure and vocabulary to provide a more engaging and nuanced depiction of the weather.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was sunny" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating the weather conditions at a specific time. As shown in Ludwig, this phrase is straightforward and commonly used across various contexts to establish the setting or mood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was sunny" is a simple yet versatile way to describe a weather condition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It functions primarily as a descriptive statement, setting a scene or providing context, as evidenced by its frequent appearance in news and media. While neutral in register, it can be used to create a positive tone or contrast with less favorable conditions. While generally straightforward, remember to avoid overuse and consider varying your descriptive language for richer, more engaging writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the sun was out

A more casual way of saying it was sunny, focusing on the sun's presence.

it was a sun-filled day

Highlights the abundance of sun throughout the entire day.

the sun shone

Focuses on the action of the sun shining, rather than stating the overall weather condition.

there was sunshine

Highlights the existence of sunshine, rather than the overall weather state.

the day was bright

Emphasizes the overall brightness of the day, rather than specifically mentioning sunshine.

the day dawned bright

Emphasizes the brightness specifically at the beginning of the day.

sunlight streamed down

Highlights the presence of sunlight, often implying a sense of warmth and clarity.

the sun illuminated the scene

Emphasizes how the sun's light affected the visual landscape

the weather was fair

Describes the weather as pleasant and agreeable, which often includes sunshine.

the skies were clear

Indicates the absence of clouds, suggesting a sunny day but not directly stating it.

FAQs

What does "it was sunny" mean?

The phrase "it was sunny" simply means that the sun was shining and the weather was clear, without significant cloud cover.

How can I describe a sunny day with more detail than just saying "it was sunny"?

You could add specific details about the temperature, the quality of the light, or the presence of other weather elements, such as a gentle breeze. For example, you could say, "It was sunny and warm" or "it was sunny with a slight breeze".

What are some synonyms for "it was sunny"?

Alternatives include "the sun shone", "the skies were clear", or "the day was bright".

Is it ever incorrect to say "it was sunny"?

The phrase is grammatically correct. However, if the context clearly indicates otherwise (e.g., describing a nighttime scene), using "it was sunny" would be factually incorrect.