it was utter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was utter" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely intended to be part of a larger expression, such as "it was utter nonsense" or "it was utter chaos." Example: "After hearing the explanation, I realized it was utter nonsense."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

But it was utter hubris for Hizbullah to believe that, with its rockets in reserve, its fighters could keep crossing into Israel with impunity.How to end itA war that starts by accident is not necessarily easy to end.

The Economist

It was utter chaos.

The New York Times

It was utter bedlam.

The Guardian

"The brain was raw and it was utter confusion.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It was utter chaos when I was shot".

The New York Times

You're guilty!" "It was utter despair," John said.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

The word "delighted" was uttered in the immediate aftermath of this game, and it was uttered by a manager.

Independent

It was uttered "without intention or premeditation".

The New York Times

It was uttered on the television series "30 Rock".

The New York Times

He was pierced by Monterone's curse the second it was uttered.

The New York Times

Winfield would not have appreciated the derogatory remark whenever it was uttered.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was utter", always follow it with a noun or adjective that specifies the nature of what is being described, such as "it was utter chaos" or "it was utter nonsense".

Common error

Avoid using "it was utter" as a standalone phrase. It's grammatically incomplete and requires a noun or adjective to provide context and meaning. For example, instead of saying "it was utter", specify what it was, such as "it was utter confusion".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was utter" functions as an incomplete predicate. It requires a complement (typically a noun or adjective) to form a complete thought and express a quality or state. As Ludwig indicates, it's often part of a larger expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it was utter" appears relatively frequently in various sources, it is grammatically incomplete as a standalone phrase. As Ludwig AI points out, it necessitates a following noun or adjective to convey a complete meaning. Its primary function is to emphasize the degree or intensity of a subsequent descriptor. You'll find it most commonly in news and media contexts, with a neutral to informal register. For more grammatically sound alternatives, consider phrases like "it was complete" or "it was absolute".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was complete

Replaces "utter" with "complete", emphasizing the thoroughness or totality of something.

it was absolute

Substitutes "utter" with "absolute", highlighting the lack of exceptions or limitations.

it was total

Uses "total" in place of "utter", stressing the entirety or full extent of something.

it was sheer

Replaces "utter" with "sheer", emphasizing the pure or unadulterated nature of something.

it was pure

Substitutes "utter" with "pure", highlighting the unmixed or unadulterated quality of something.

it was downright

Uses "downright" instead of "utter", intensifying the description of something.

it was plainly

Replaces "utter" with "plainly", emphasizing the obviousness or clarity of something.

it was simply

Substitutes "utter" with "simply", emphasizing the straightforward nature of something.

it was just

Uses "just" in place of "utter", indicating a fair or accurate assessment.

it was nothing but

Replaces "utter" with "nothing but", emphasizing the exclusive nature of something.

FAQs

How to use "it was utter" in a sentence?

The phrase "it was utter" is not correct in standard written English. It needs to be followed by a noun or adjective to make sense. For instance, you can say, "It was utter chaos" or "It was utter nonsense."

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

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "it was complete", "it was absolute", or "it was total".

Which is correct, "it was utter nonsense" or "it was utter"?

"It was utter nonsense" is correct because it provides a specific description following the phrase. "It was utter" is incomplete and grammatically incorrect on its own.

What's the difference between "it was utter chaos" and "it was chaos"?

"It was utter chaos" emphasizes the extreme nature of the chaos, suggesting it was complete and overwhelming. "It was chaos" simply states that there was chaos.