it was too cold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was too cold" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where the temperature was uncomfortably low. Example: "We decided to stay indoors because it was too cold to go outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

It was too cold.

The New York Times

It was too cold for him.

The New Yorker

It was too cold to go on.

The New Yorker

"And it was too cold in Garrison".

The New York Times

It was too cold to fish.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was too cold at night to be wearing shorts.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

It's too cold.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It is too cold.

The Guardian

No, it's too cold.

The New York Times

It's too cold there.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It's too cold for that shit".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of cold on a situation, use "it was too cold" followed by an infinitive phrase to explain the consequence, for example, "It was too cold to go swimming".

Common error

Avoid simply stating "it was too cold" without providing context or explaining the result of the cold. For example, instead of just saying "It was too cold", specify "It was too cold to play outside".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was too cold" primarily functions as a statement expressing a subjective experience of low temperature. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct. Examples show it describing why certain actions were impossible or undesirable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was too cold" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe situations where the temperature is uncomfortably or prohibitively low. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's widely used across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Academia. When using this phrase, it's best practice to provide additional context, explaining what consequences the cold had. Alternatives include "the temperature was too low" or "the weather was frigid", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the temperature was too low

Focuses on the objective measure of temperature rather than the subjective experience of cold.

it was excessively chilly

Replaces "cold" with "chilly" and "too" with "excessively", emphasizing a moderate but uncomfortable coldness.

the weather was frigid

Uses "frigid" to describe the weather, indicating extreme coldness.

it was bitterly freezing

Emphasizes the intensity of the cold using "bitterly" and "freezing".

the air was icy

Focuses on the quality of the air, suggesting a piercing, sharp coldness.

it was unbelievably cold

Adds emphasis to the coldness, suggesting it was beyond normal expectations.

the chill was unbearable

Shifts the focus to the feeling of the cold, describing it as intolerable.

it was freezing to death

Emphasizes the severity of the cold by suggesting a life-threatening situation.

the cold was extreme

Highlights the intensity of the cold, indicating it was beyond ordinary.

it was frostbite weather

Indicates that the cold was severe enough to cause frostbite.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was too cold" to sound more descriptive?

Consider using more vivid language like "the temperature was frigid", "the air was icy", or "the chill was unbearable" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between saying "it was too cold" and "it was very cold"?

While both phrases describe low temperatures, "it was too cold" implies that the coldness was excessive and had a negative impact or prevented something from happening. "It was very cold" simply emphasizes the degree of coldness.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "it was too cold" in writing?

Use "it was too cold" when you want to emphasize that the temperature was excessively low, making a situation uncomfortable, impossible, or undesirable. For example, "it was too cold to swim".

What are some common scenarios where "it was too cold" might be used?

"It was too cold" is often used to describe situations where outdoor activities are restricted, equipment malfunctions, or general discomfort occurs due to low temperatures, for example, "it was too cold for the animals" or "it was too cold to sleep".