it was ugly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was ugly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is visually unappealing or unattractive in a past context. Example: "The painting was supposed to be a masterpiece, but in reality, it was ugly and poorly executed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

If it was ugly, I wanted that ugliness brought out.

The Guardian

"It was ugly," Bahcall says.

The New Yorker

"It was ugly," he said.

The New York Times

"It was ugly," Johnston said.

The New York Times - Sports

It was ugly and wet.

The New York Times

Yes, it was ugly.

The Guardian - Music

It was ugly stuff.

The Guardian - Sport

"Man, it was ugly".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

It's ugly why?

The New Yorker

"It's ugly," he said.

The New York Times

It's ugly right now.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was ugly" to describe something that is visually unappealing or unattractive in a past context.

Common error

Avoid using "it was ugly" in formal or academic writing; opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "aesthetically displeasing" or "visually unappealing" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was ugly" functions as a descriptive statement. According to Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase to describe something visually unappealing in the past. The numerous examples confirm its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was ugly" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to express a negative assessment of something's appearance in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While generally neutral in register, it's best to avoid it in highly formal contexts, opting for more refined alternatives. The phrase is frequently found in news, media, and sports reporting, highlighting its broad applicability in describing undesirable visual attributes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was unsightly

Replaces "ugly" with a synonym emphasizing the unpleasant appearance.

it was hideous

Replaces "ugly" with a stronger synonym emphasizing extreme unpleasantness.

it was not pretty

Simple and direct way of stating the lack of beauty.

it was unattractive

Uses a more polite term to describe something not pleasing to the eye.

it was an eyesore

Indicates that something is extremely unattractive and unpleasant to look at.

it was aesthetically displeasing

A formal way of saying something was not visually appealing.

it was a disaster to behold

Emphasizes the catastrophic nature of the visual experience.

it was plain-looking

Suggests a lack of any striking or attractive features.

it was hard to look at

Focuses on the difficulty or discomfort of viewing something.

it left much to be desired

An indirect way to express dissatisfaction with its appearance.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was ugly" to describe something visually unappealing or unattractive in the past. For example, "The painting was supposed to be a masterpiece, but "it was ugly" and poorly executed."

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

You can use alternatives like "it was hideous", "it was unsightly", or "it was unattractive" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it was ugly" or "it is ugly"?

"It was ugly" describes something that was unattractive in the past. "It is ugly" describes something that is currently unattractive. Choose the appropriate tense based on the time frame you are referring to.

What's the difference between "it was ugly" and "it was beautiful"?

"It was ugly" describes something that had an unpleasant appearance. "It was beautiful" describes something that had a pleasing appearance. They are antonyms.