it was tedious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was tedious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an experience or task that was boring, repetitive, or time-consuming. Example: "The lecture lasted for three hours, and it was tedious to sit through without any breaks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

It was tedious.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It was tedious, backbreaking work," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

"It was fascinating; it was tedious.

The New York Times

It was tedious, done by hand, not machine".

The New York Times

It was tedious, it was back-breaking, it was geeky and it was... wonderful.

The Guardian

It was tedious, but the time spent staring at the ground also led to great conversations.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Dow considered bioprospecting on its own, but as the company explained: "It's tedious and costly.

Forbes

"So it's tedious, really tedious.

The New Yorker

It's tedious to you.

Harvard Business Review

Poorly done, it is tedious and overblown.

The Economist

As theater, however, it's tedious.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance impact, follow "it was tedious" with a contrasting statement. Example: "It was tedious, but the outcome was rewarding."

Common error

While "it was tedious" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound simplistic. In formal contexts, substitute with more descriptive and nuanced alternatives like "it proved laborious" or "the process was exacting".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was tedious" functions as a subjective assessment, expressing the speaker's or writer's perception of an experience as dull, monotonous, or laborious. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

12%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Social Media

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was tedious" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something was boring, repetitive, or laborious. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and choose alternatives like "it was monotonous" or "it was tiresome" for enhanced precision. Be mindful of overuse in formal writing, where more descriptive options may be preferable. Ludwig examples show that the phrase appears most frequently in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was monotonous

Focuses on the repetitive nature, highlighting the lack of variation.

it was tiresome

Emphasizes the fatigue and weariness induced by the activity.

it was boring

Directly states the lack of interest or excitement.

it was dull

Similar to boring, but suggests a lack of vibrancy or stimulation.

it was uninteresting

Highlights the absence of captivating qualities.

it was mind-numbing

Stresses the activity's effect on mental acuity and engagement.

it was a drag

Informal expression indicating something unpleasant or bothersome.

it lacked excitement

Explicitly points out the absence of thrilling aspects.

it was laborious

Highlights the effort and exertion required.

it was wearisome

Similar to tiresome, but with a slightly more formal tone.

FAQs

What does "it was tedious" mean?

The phrase "it was tedious" describes something that is boring, repetitive, and often time-consuming. It implies a lack of interest or excitement in the activity or situation being described.

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

You can use alternatives like "it was monotonous", "it was tiresome", or "it was boring" depending on the context.

Is "it was tedious" formal or informal?

"It was tedious" is generally considered neutral in formality. While suitable for many contexts, more formal alternatives like "it proved laborious" might be preferable in academic or professional writing.

How can I make my sentences more descriptive when using "it was tedious"?

Instead of simply stating "it was tedious", elaborate on what specifically made it tedious. For example, "The meeting was tedious due to the lack of a clear agenda and the repetitive discussions".