it was very slow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was very slow" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that took a long time to happen or was not fast in its operation or performance. Example: "The internet connection was so poor that it was very slow, making it difficult to stream videos."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"It was very slow," said Mike Bar-Hod, who is in charge of the company's marketing.

The New York Times

The pitch offered him a little turn but it was very slow, so the batsmen could watch and wait.

The Guardian - Sport

It was very slow to start with, with the green, I thought, "Oh, blimey, this is going to be a bit wet".

The New York Times

Wong also criticised the speed with which Australia was accepting refugees from Syria, saying it was "very slow to process people for those places" compared to other nations.

The Guardian

"Because of the wind, it was very slow," said Mike Johnson of Manhattan, who was helping to install the ice-skating rink in Bryant Park.

The New York Times

"If you look at the rate of change from the late 1970s to today," he said, "it was very slow for many years until the fish market left, when it became a dramatic, steep curve".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"It's very slow".

The New York Times - Sports

It's very slow, but it's also very safe.

The New York Times

It's very slow, but it's going to happen".

The New York Times

"It is very slow, this lift," Robert said.

The New Yorker

"It's very slow cooking, and there is more concentration of flavor," he said.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing processes or systems, use "it was very slow" to directly convey inefficiency or delays. For instance, "The server response time was so poor that "it was very slow", impacting user experience."

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "very" to intensify slowness. Replace it with more descriptive adjectives like "sluggish", "glacial", or "lethargic" to provide a more vivid and nuanced depiction of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was very slow" functions as a descriptive statement, typically acting as the predicate of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It conveys that a particular action, process, or object lacks speed or efficiency.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

15%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was very slow" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe the lack of speed or efficiency in something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is versatile and applicable across various contexts, although it is most frequently found in News & Media. For more formal or impactful writing, consider employing synonyms like "sluggish", "protracted", or more descriptive adjectives to enhance the nuance and detail of your descriptions. Always ensure your word choice aligns with the context and desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was painfully slow

Emphasizes the negative impact of the slowness.

it was quite sluggish

Replaces "very slow" with "quite sluggish", emphasizing a lack of energy or pace.

it was extremely unhurried

Replaces "very slow" with "extremely unhurried", highlighting a deliberate lack of haste.

it proceeded at a snail's pace

Uses a simile to convey extreme slowness.

it was terribly protracted

Emphasizes the extended duration of the event or process.

it crawled along

Uses a verb to illustrate the slow movement or progress.

it inched forward

Paints a picture of something moving forward very slowly and gradually.

it was remarkably gradual

Highlights the slow and incremental nature of the process.

it dawdled

Implies a lack of purpose or direction in addition to slowness.

it was like watching paint dry

Uses an idiom to express extreme boredom due to slowness.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was very slow" to sound more professional?

Consider using alternatives such as "it was quite sluggish", "the process was protracted", or "the system response was delayed" for a more formal tone.

What's a more impactful way to say "it was very slow"?

Instead of just stating that something was slow, try to illustrate the impact of the slowness. For instance, "The process was so slow that it significantly impacted our project timeline" or "The response time "it was very slow", leading to a frustrating user experience".

Is "it was very slow" too informal for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "it was very slow" might be considered too simplistic for academic writing. Opt for more precise and descriptive language like "the rate of progress was suboptimal" or "the process demonstrated a significant delay".

What are some synonyms for "slow" that I can use instead of "it was very slow"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "sluggish", "gradual", "protracted", or "delayed". Consider the specific nuance you want to convey when choosing a substitute.