it was very illuminating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was very illuminating" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was very informative or revealing. For example: "I just had a meeting with my boss and it was very illuminating; now I know what I need to do to improve my performance at work."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science & Research

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"It's not the sort of thing you're prepared to do in academic work," Helble says, "but it was very illuminating how quickly things can get done when [a legislator] is committed to it".

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Although the official flight recording cuts off after thirty minutes, the Cartoon Lounge has managed to get ahold of an unofficial recording, and it is very illuminating.

The New Yorker

It's very illuminating.

Huffington Post

Once you're done here, go read it; it's very illuminating!

HuffPost

The benefits of your help notwithstanding, from a personal standpoint it is very illuminating to help others, and to develop your sense of compassion for all kinds of people.

WikiHow

"He didn't go out of his way to be friends with students, but he was very illuminating about the subject.

The Guardian - Books

The first time I met a bloke from the Queensland tourism industry to talk about the reef some years ago was very illuminating.

The Guardian

The discussion today with Sam Palmisano and his colleagues from the Center for Global Enterprise was very illuminating". Ambassadors lingered, with the CGE team, while getting their books autographed.

HuffPost

"It can be very illuminating when you reach across the fence," said Ms. Ivers, who is senior vice president for media relations at Universal Pictures.

The New York Times

It can be very illuminating to look up a group on Source Watch, which does a great job of tracking corporate front campaigns and think tanks funded by lobby groups, etc. Evaluating Information Found on the Internet.

University of California, Berkeley

But whatever one's view of the exact value of formalization, there is little doubt that it has been very illuminating for logical purposes.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was very illuminating" to express that a situation, explanation, or experience provided significant clarity or understanding. It's suitable for describing moments of insight or revelations.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid using "it was very illuminating" in extremely formal or academic writing where more precise language might be preferred. Consider stronger, more specific verbs to describe the effect of clarification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was very illuminating" functions as a declarative statement expressing that something provided significant insight or clarification. It typically serves as a comment or reflection on a past event or piece of information, as supported by the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Science & Research

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was very illuminating" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that conveys a sense of gained understanding or clarity. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across diverse contexts including news, science and academia. While versatile, be mindful of overly formal situations where more specific language might be preferable. Consider using alternatives such as "it was enlightening" or "it provided insight" to fine-tune the expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was enlightening

Uses a direct synonym for "illuminating" maintaining a high degree of similarity.

it shed light on

Replaces "illuminating" with a more metaphorical expression of providing clarity.

it provided insight

Emphasizes the gaining of a deeper understanding.

it brought understanding

Emphasizes the achievement of comprehension.

it clarified

Focuses on the aspect of making something easier to understand.

it revealed

Highlights the uncovering of something previously unknown.

it offered clarification

Focuses on the act of clarifying a specific point or issue.

it gave a clearer picture

Uses a visual metaphor to describe the act of understanding.

it made things clearer

Simplifies the language while retaining the core meaning.

it was highly informative

Shifts the focus to the amount of information provided.

FAQs

What does "it was very illuminating" mean?

The phrase "it was very illuminating" means that something was insightful, clarifying, or provided a great deal of understanding. It suggests that new information or perspectives were gained, leading to increased comprehension.

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

You can use "it was very illuminating" to describe an experience, conversation, or piece of information that significantly enhanced your understanding. For example, "The lecture on quantum physics was very illuminating." or "Talking with her about her experiences "it shed light on" the challenges she faced".

What are some alternatives to "it was very illuminating"?

Alternatives to "it was very illuminating" include "it was enlightening", "it provided insight", "it clarified", or ""it shed light on"", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it was very illuminating" formal or informal?

"It was very illuminating" is generally considered to be neutral to slightly formal. While appropriate in many contexts, consider more precise or impactful language for highly formal academic or professional writing to convey the specific type and degree of clarification achieved.