it was text

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was text" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that was written or communicated in text form, often in a context where the nature of the communication is being clarified. Example: "When I received the message, I was surprised to find that it was text and not a voice note."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It was text typed on a keyboard.

The Guardian

The internet at this time did not include the web – it was text only.

The Guardian - Tech

Somebody else claimed to know someone who'd had an incident with him over email, or maybe it was text, that may or may not have involved emoticons unbecoming for a Booker-winning Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It was text-based.

TechCrunch

It is text, pictures, movies, entire Web sites.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Whether you're Godard or Almodovar or Scorsese, it's text, text, text.

The Guardian - Film

"Whether it's text, phone calls, personal visits, going to brunch — and I always buy," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Charlie Rose: How much of it is text rather than video?

TechCrunch

Eric Schmidt: Well, today the vast majority of it is text.

TechCrunch

The content is then displayed inline, regardless of whether it is text, images or videos.

TechCrunch

Unfortunately stories don't support graphics within their pages, so it's text only.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was text" to clearly specify that communication occurred via written words, especially when contrasting with other forms like speech or images. This avoids ambiguity and adds precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using less specific phrases like "it was a message" when "it was text" more accurately conveys the form of communication. This ensures clarity and prevents misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was text" functions as a declarative statement, specifying the form or medium of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It identifies a piece of information as being in textual format. Examples in Ludwig show it describing chatroom dialogues, internet content, or messages received.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was text" is a grammatically sound phrase used to specify that something is in a written format. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts and serves the purpose of clarifying the medium of communication. While not extremely common, it provides a clear and concise way to convey that information was presented in text. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what "it" refers to and that "it was text" provides helpful clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was a written message

Replaces "text" with a more descriptive term, emphasizing the written nature of the message.

it was a textual communication

Substitutes "text" with the more formal "textual communication".

the message was written

Focus shifts to the message itself and states it was written.

it was in writing

Simplifies the phrase while retaining the core meaning of written communication.

the content was textual

Focuses on the nature of the content being in text form.

it was a typed document

Emphasizes that the text was created using a keyboard or typing device.

it was composed of words

Focuses on the composition of the message, highlighting that it consisted of words.

it consisted of characters

Highlights the fundamental components of text: characters.

it was transcribed

Highlights the act of transcribing a message into text form.

it was a letter

More specific, implies a formal written communication.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was text" to sound more formal?

You can use phrases like "it was a written communication" or "the message was textual" to convey a more formal tone.

When is it appropriate to use "it was text" in writing?

Use "it was text" when you need to emphasize that the communication was in written form, especially when contrasting it with audio or video messages. It clarifies the medium of communication.

What's the difference between saying "it was text" and "it was a message"?

"It was text" specifies the type of message (written), while "it was a message" is more general and doesn't specify the format. The former is more precise.

Are there any situations where "it was text" might be unclear?

If the context doesn't clearly establish what "it" refers to, the phrase might be ambiguous. Ensure that the antecedent is clear to avoid confusion.