it was thunder

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was thunder" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where thunder was present, often in a narrative or descriptive context. Example: "As the storm rolled in, I could hear the distant rumble, and I knew it was thunder approaching."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

It was thunder.

The New York Times

I thought it was thunder.

The Guardian

The teacher thought it was thunder.

The Guardian

I queried with colleagues whether it was thunder, but the sky was blue.

The Guardian

Peter Maher, who lives across the street, thought it was thunder.

The New York Times

"I thought it was thunder when I first moved in," she said, "but it's not annoying or anything".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

It was thundering during the ceremony and we laugh about that – we say life's carried on that way ever since.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It's thunder!" viewers would yelp.

The New York Times

It's "Thunder Road" in bell-bottoms and love beads.

The New York Times

The Runaways, "Thunder" (1976) One of the key tracks on the band's début album: "It's thunder / the spell that I'm under".

The New Yorker

"If it's raining, if it's snowing, if it's thunder and lightning or whatever, this is about football, where you play in any circumstances.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was thunder" to clearly and directly identify a sound or event as thunder, especially when distinguishing it from other similar sounds like explosions or construction noises.

Common error

Avoid assuming every loud noise is "it was thunder". Always consider the context and other sensory information (e.g., visual cues like lightning) before concluding that the sound was indeed thunder.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was thunder" functions as a declarative statement, identifying the source of a sound or event. It typically serves to inform or clarify what was heard or experienced. Ludwig AI indicates this usage is common in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was thunder" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to identify a sound as thunder. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase appears frequently in news and media, demonstrating its versatility and widespread understanding. While simple, it effectively communicates the source of a sound, differentiating it from other potential noises. When writing, be mindful of the context to ensure clarity and consider more descriptive alternatives for added detail or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was thunder

Uses "that" to refer to a specific instance or event.

it sounded like thunder

Focuses on the auditory similarity rather than definitive identification.

it seemed like thunder

Introduces an element of uncertainty or perception.

it resembled thunder

Emphasizes the likeness in characteristics to thunder.

the noise was thunder

Highlights the auditory aspect, specifying 'noise' as the subject.

the sound was thunder

Shifts the emphasis to the sound itself being the identifiable element.

thunder was the sound

Inverts the sentence structure to emphasize thunder.

it was a thunderclap

Specifies the type of thunder event.

the rumble was thunder

Specifically describes a low, continuous sound characteristic of thunder.

that explosion was thunder

Indicates the sound from the explosion was similar to thunder, but it was in fact an explosion.

FAQs

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

"It was thunder" is used to identify a sound as thunder, often in narratives: "I heard a loud crash; it was thunder."

What's a more descriptive alternative to "it was thunder"?

Depending on the context, consider phrases like "it sounded like thunder" if you're unsure, or "it was a thunderclap" to specify a sudden burst of thunder.

When is it appropriate to use "it was thunder"?

Use "it was thunder" when you're certain the sound you heard or are describing is actually thunder, often following a loud noise or during a storm.

Is "it was thunder" formal or informal?

"It was thunder" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more descriptive alternatives might be preferred in formal writing for added clarity.