it was wide

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was wide" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the width of an object, space, or area in a past context. Example: "The river was wide, making it difficult to cross without a bridge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

When it became clear that Reese was out of the picture, word hit the streets that "it was wide open territory," according to former Assistant U.S. Atty.

Los Angeles Times

Remo's bedroom, with its 11-foot ceilings, was taller than it was wide.

The New York Times

It was wide open.

The New Yorker

But in general, it was wide open.

Harvard Business Review

"It was wide," Mr. Guillion said, "and dark".

The New York Times

It was wide enough for a man and had footholds running 43 metres to the ground.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

It was wide-eyed intensity.

The New York Times - Sports

It was wide-ranging.

The Guardian

It was wide-reaching because it affected every country.

The Guardian

The fallout from the episode was as damaging as it was wide-reaching.

BBC

It's wide open.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was wide" to describe metaphorical openness or opportunities, but ensure the context clarifies the non-physical meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "it was wide" in contexts where "it was long" or "it was tall" would be more appropriate. Ensure the adjective accurately reflects the dimension you intend to describe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was wide" primarily functions as a descriptive statement, specifying the width of a subject in the past tense. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase. The examples show its use in describing physical dimensions and metaphorical openness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was wide" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the width of something in the past tense. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's applicable across various contexts, from physical descriptions in news and media to more abstract uses. While versatile, it's important to ensure the context aligns with the intended meaning, differentiating width from length or height. Alternatives such as "it was broad" or "it had considerable width" can provide nuanced variations depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was quite broad

Uses a synonym for wide and an intensifier.

it was substantially wide

Adds an adverb to emphasize the degree of wideness.

it had considerable width

Replaces the adjective with a noun phrase, emphasizing the measurement of width.

it possessed great width

Similar to "it had considerable width" but uses a more formal verb.

it spanned a large area

Shifts the focus to the area covered, implying wideness.

the width was remarkable

Focuses on the width as the subject of the sentence.

its breadth was significant

Uses a more formal noun to describe the extent of the width.

it extended broadly

Employs a verb to indicate the expansive nature of the subject.

it was amply sized

Generalizes the description to include overall size, not just width.

its dimensions were expansive

Highlights the overall dimensions, with width being a key component.

FAQs

How can I use "it was wide" in a sentence?

You can use "it was wide" to describe the breadth of a physical object, such as "The river "it was wide" and difficult to cross", or to describe a more abstract concept, like "The field of opportunities "it was wide" open after the new policy was implemented".

What are some alternatives to "it was wide"?

Alternatives include "it was broad", "it was spacious", or "it had considerable width" depending on the context.

When is it more appropriate to use "it was broad" instead of "it was wide"?

"It was broad" is often used when describing something that extends greatly from side to side, like a smile or a generalization, while "it was wide" is typically used for physical measurements or openings. The nuances are subtle, and in many cases, they are interchangeable.

Is "it is wide" grammatically different from "it was wide"?

Yes, "it is wide" is present tense, used to describe something currently wide, while "it was wide" is past tense, used to describe something that was wide at a previous time. The choice depends on the timeframe you're referencing.