it was work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or task that required effort or labor, often in a reflective or summarizing context. Example: "After a long day of meetings and deadlines, I can finally say it was work, but I feel accomplished."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"I guess it was work.

Independent

It was work.

The New York Times

It was fun but it was work.

The New York Times

It was work, I assure you.

The Economist

It was work of real subtlety.

Independent

It was work for madmen.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

I believe it was work-related stress.

The New York Times

And it was working.

The New York Times

It was working!

The New York Times

But it was working".

The New Yorker

It was working well".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to ensure the simplicity of "it was work" is appropriate. In formal settings, phrases like "it required significant effort" or "it constituted labor" may be more suitable.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "it was work" in descriptive passages. While concise, it lacks detail. Instead, elaborate on the specific tasks and challenges involved to provide a richer understanding for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was work" functions as a statement expressing that a task or activity involved effort or labor. Ludwig AI's examples show it used in retrospective contexts, summarizing experiences or explaining situations where effort was expended. The phrase generally acts as a predicate nominative, where 'work' renames 'it'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was work" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a task or activity that involved effort. Ludwig AI shows that it appears commonly in News & Media and Academic writing, often serving to summarize experiences or justify actions. While versatile, consider more formal alternatives for professional or scientific contexts. Common errors involve overuse in descriptive writing, where more specific details would provide greater clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was a job

A simpler, more direct substitute focusing on the task-oriented nature.

it involved effort

Focuses specifically on the effort required, rather than directly labeling it as work.

it required exertion

Emphasizes the physical or mental energy expended.

it constituted labor

This alternative uses a more formal vocabulary to indicate that something was considered work.

it demanded commitment

Shifts focus to the dedication required, rather than the work itself.

it took dedication

This highlights that dedication was needed to perform the activity, emphasizing commitment more than effort.

it was an obligation

Highlights the compulsory nature of the activity.

it entailed duty

Replaces 'work' with 'duty', emphasizing the obligation.

it proved challenging

Highlights the difficulty and demanding nature of the activity, differing from the neutral tone of "it was work".

it represented toil

This implies arduous or demanding labor, adding a negative connotation that is absent from the original phrase.

FAQs

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

Use "it was work" to describe a task or activity that required effort. For example: "After spending all day in meetings, "it was work", but we accomplished a lot".

What are some alternatives to "it was work"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "it was a job", "it required effort", or "it was laborious".

Is "it was work" too informal for professional writing?

While "it was work" is generally acceptable, more formal options like "it constituted labor" or "it entailed significant effort" might be preferable in professional contexts.

What's the difference between "it was work" and "it was a job"?

"It was work" generally refers to the effort expended, while ""it was a job"" emphasizes the task-oriented nature of the activity. The former is a more general description of effort, and the latter is a task with specified responsibilities.