it was very helpful

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was very helpful" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe situations in which someone or something provided useful assistance. For example, "My instructor gave me a few tips for my project, and it was very helpful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

But this complete immersion also had its plus points: "It was very helpful as a producer and DJ, being surrounded by all this taught me so much".

Vice

I've been out of it a little bit, so it was very helpful and very nice of them to help me out like that.

Huffington Post

It was very helpful.

The New York Times

From that standpoint, it was very helpful.

The Economist

But in retrospect, it was very helpful".

The New York Times

"It was very helpful, a spiritual kind of thing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

It's very helpful for me".

The New Yorker

It's very helpful with that".

The New Yorker

But it's very helpful to the players.

The New York Times

"Yes, it's very helpful when it comes to Halloween," Shane said.

The New York Times

It's very helpful because they're restoring the lighthouse keeper's house.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was very helpful" to acknowledge direct assistance or support received, ensuring you clearly state what 'it' refers to in your sentence for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "it was very helpful" without clearly defining what 'it' refers to. Ambiguity can confuse readers; ensure the subject is explicit in the sentence or preceding context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was very helpful" functions as a subject complement, providing information about the subject ('it'). Ludwig AI confirms its use to denote something beneficial or supportive.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was very helpful" is a common and versatile expression used to acknowledge assistance or support. Ludwig's analysis, drawing from a wide range of sources, confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. While adaptable, ensuring clarity by explicitly defining 'it' enhances effective communication. Alternative phrases like "it proved highly beneficial" or "it offered considerable assistance" can provide more formal options when needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it proved highly beneficial

Emphasizes the positive outcome or advantage gained; more formal.

it was extremely advantageous

Highlights the significant benefits and positive impact.

it offered considerable assistance

Focuses on the act of providing help; more formal and emphasizes the amount of aid.

it turned out to be quite useful

Highlights the practical value and utility of something.

it greatly aided in the process

Emphasizes the contribution to a specific process; more formal.

it was a boon to the project

Uses a more figurative expression to indicate a significant benefit.

it lent significant support

Focuses on the supportive aspect and the importance of the assistance.

it played a crucial role

Highlights the essential importance of something.

it facilitated progress

Focuses on how something made progress easier or possible.

it served its purpose well

Highlights the effectiveness and suitability for a particular task.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was very helpful" to express that something provided assistance or support. For example, "The tutorial "it was very helpful" in understanding the software."

What are some alternatives to saying "it was very helpful"?

Alternatives include "it proved highly beneficial", "it was extremely advantageous", or "it offered considerable assistance", depending on the context.

Is "it was very helpful" formal or informal?

"It was very helpful" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or professional settings.

What's the difference between "it was helpful" and "it was very helpful"?

The addition of "very" intensifies the helpfulness. "It was very helpful" suggests a greater degree of assistance or benefit compared to "it was helpful".