it was sweltering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was sweltering" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe extremely hot weather or an uncomfortable heat situation. Example: "During our summer vacation, it was sweltering, making it difficult to enjoy outdoor activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

It was sweltering.

The New Yorker

It was sweltering inside the hut.

The New Yorker

It was sweltering in Philadelphia that day.

The New York Times - Arts

Even though it was sweltering there, I felt like a rat in winter, lying still to save my energy.

The New York Times

It was sweltering in the room before the band took the stage, and it would only get worse.

The New York Times - Arts

It was sweltering, and, with the workmen sweaty, sullen, and stripped to the waist, the scene evoked both Dolce & Gabbana's suggestive advertisements and the opening sequence of "Spartacus".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Q It's sweltering in my office.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

THE BATHING IS EASY Sometimes you need to stun the senses by taking a hot bath when it's sweltering outside.

The New York Times

It's sweltering in the 8-by-4-foot booth, with the vent continually blasting hot, stale air from a tunnel below.

The New York Times

It's sweltering, so Katy B is barefoot in dungarees and a fluorescent strap-top, the BCG scar on her left arm blotching slightly, the way they do in the heat.

The Guardian - Music

It's sweltering hot and you're exhausted.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was sweltering" to vividly describe a situation with extreme heat, especially when emphasizing discomfort or oppressiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "it was sweltering" in highly formal or scientific writing where a more precise temperature description would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was sweltering" functions as a descriptive statement. Grammatically, it employs a pronoun, a form of the verb "to be", and an adjective to vividly depict the environmental condition. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was sweltering" is a common and correct way to describe intensely hot conditions. According to Ludwig, it's suitable for many contexts, though more formal or scientific settings might require a more precise description. It is frequently found in news and media sources, conveying a sense of oppressive heat. While the phrase is appropriate for expressing discomfort due to high temperatures, it’s advisable to use specific temperature references in formal writing. Alternatives include "it was scorching" or "it was boiling", offering similar but slightly nuanced descriptions of extreme heat.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was scorching

Emphasizes the burning and intense quality of the heat, similar to "sweltering".

it was boiling

Focuses on the feeling of being heated to a boiling point, a common way to describe extreme heat.

it was extremely hot

Replaces "sweltering" with a more general term for high temperature, losing some of the intensity.

it was baking hot

Highlights the pervasive and encompassing nature of the heat, like being in an oven.

it was oppressively hot

Emphasizes the uncomfortable and burdensome nature of the heat.

the heat was stifling

Focuses on the sensation of being unable to breathe easily due to the heat.

the temperature was unbearable

Highlights the intolerability of the heat levels.

the air was thick with heat

Paints a picture of the heat as a dense, palpable presence.

it was a heatwave

Identifies the condition as a prolonged period of excessively hot weather.

the sun was relentless

Attributes the extreme heat to the constant and unforgiving sun.

FAQs

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

Use "it was sweltering" to describe a situation characterized by intense heat. For example: "During the summer, "it was sweltering", making outdoor activities unbearable."

What are some alternatives to "it was sweltering"?

Alternatives include "it was scorching", "it was boiling", or "it was extremely hot", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it was sweltering" appropriate for formal writing?

While "it was sweltering" is acceptable in many contexts, more formal writing may benefit from precise temperature descriptions or less evocative phrasing.

What does "sweltering" specifically imply about the heat?

"Sweltering" implies heat that is not only intense but also oppressive and uncomfortable, often associated with high humidity and a lack of air circulation.