it was very awkward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was very awkward" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that felt uncomfortable or embarrassing. Example: "During the meeting, when no one knew how to respond to the unexpected question, it was very awkward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

It was very awkward.

The New Yorker

"It was very awkward, but we understood the message.

The New York Times

It was very awkward, he explained, "to sit there like the proverbial potted plant".

The New York Times

It was very awkward to watch him walking on his stumps.

The Guardian - Arts

It was very awkward and, sadly, it has still not really healed".

The Guardian - Sport

"When someone told you their child scored an 80 percent, it was very awkward to say your child scored a 99," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

It is very awkward, Mr. Krarup confided.

The New York Times

"It's very awkward," he says.

The New York Times

It's very awkward when you are going out to dinner with a family.

The New York Times

It is very awkward to make concessions or compromises in public for fear of losing face or support.

The New York Times

"Mel and Sue live with Mel's husband, but it's very awkward because he's clearly had enough of the bants".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was very awkward" to clearly communicate a sense of unease or social discomfort in a situation. This phrase is best used when describing a specific event or interaction.

Common error

Avoid relying on "it was very awkward" repeatedly in your writing. Vary your descriptions with more specific adjectives or adverbs to provide a richer and more nuanced portrayal of the situation's discomfort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was very awkward" functions as a descriptive statement, characterizing a past situation as uncomfortable or embarrassing. It follows a simple subject-verb-adjective structure. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples from various sources confirms its role in conveying social discomfort.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was very awkward" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a past situation as uncomfortable or embarrassing. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase appears frequently in news, media, and general online content. While it's appropriate for many contexts, varying your language and choosing more specific descriptions can improve your writing. Ludwig's analysis shows that this phrase is a useful tool for expressing social discomfort and providing context within narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It felt incredibly awkward

Emphasizes the feeling of awkwardness experienced by someone.

The encounter was extremely awkward

Highlights the level of awkwardness in the particular encounter.

The situation was highly uncomfortable

Focuses on the discomfort created by the situation.

It was a deeply embarrassing moment

Highlights the embarrassing nature of the event.

It was an uneasy experience

Focuses on the feeling of unease caused by the event.

The atmosphere was quite tense

Describes the tense atmosphere resulting from the awkwardness.

It created a very strained atmosphere

Indicates that the awkwardness caused a strained environment.

It made everyone feel uncomfortable

Emphasizes the general feeling of discomfort.

It was a rather delicate situation

Focuses on the sensitivity and potential for problems.

The silence was deafeningly awkward

Highlights the awkwardness through an uncomfortable silence.

FAQs

How can I use "it was very awkward" in a sentence?

Use "it was very awkward" to describe a situation that caused discomfort or embarrassment. For example: "The silence after his joke fell flat; it was very awkward."

What can I say instead of "it was very awkward"?

You can use alternatives like "it felt incredibly awkward", "the situation was highly uncomfortable", or "it was a deeply embarrassing moment" depending on the context.

Is "it was very awkward" formal or informal?

"It was very awkward" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both informal and semi-formal contexts. However, for highly formal situations, consider a more sophisticated phrasing.

What makes a situation "very awkward"?

A situation becomes "very awkward" when there's social discomfort, embarrassment, or tension. It often involves unintentional offenses, misunderstandings, or a lack of clear social cues.