it wasn't great

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it wasn't great" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to express disappointment or dissatisfaction with something. Here are a few examples: - The movie received mixed reviews, with some saying "it wasn't great" and others praising it as a masterpiece. - I went on a blind date last night, but unfortunately, it wasn't great. I don't think we'll be going out again. - The food at the new restaurant wasn't great, but the atmosphere made up for it. - I was hoping to get a promotion at work, but my performance review was just okay - it wasn't great.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It wasn't great".

The New York Times

Well, it wasn't great.

The Guardian

"And it wasn't great.

The New York Times

"It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great".

The New York Times

As it worked out, it wasn't great".

The New York Times - Sports

But it wasn't great, either.

The New Yorker

"It wasn't great," he admitted.

The Guardian - Sport

"It wasn't great," Nady said.

The New York Times

That was good, but it wasn't great.

The Guardian - Sport

To put it mildly, it wasn't great.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It wasn't great, but we had to deal with that.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it wasn't great", consider adding context to explain why something wasn't great. This provides more clarity and prevents ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "it wasn't great" repeatedly without providing specific reasons. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound vague and uninspired. Use alternatives like "it wasn't amazing" or "it didn't live up to expectations" for variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it wasn't great" functions as a subjective assessment, expressing a mild form of disapproval or disappointment. It is used to convey that something did not meet expectations or was not particularly impressive. Ludwig confirms its correct usage across a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it wasn't great" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express mild disappointment or a lack of satisfaction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears most frequently in News & Media contexts. While versatile, providing context can improve its effectiveness. Consider similar phrases such as "it wasn't amazing" or "it didn't live up to expectations" to add variety and nuance to your writing. Avoid overusing the phrase, and always provide context when possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it wasn't amazing

Replaces "great" with "amazing", suggesting a lack of impressiveness.

it wasn't all that impressive

Emphasizes the lack of impressiveness.

it wasn't particularly good

Adds "particularly" to soften the negative assessment.

it wasn't up to par

Implies that something did not meet the expected standard.

it didn't live up to expectations

Implies a disappointment because expectations were not met.

it was less than ideal

Uses a more formal and indirect way to express dissatisfaction.

it left something to be desired

A polite way of saying something wasn't satisfactory.

it didn't quite cut it

Indicates that something was insufficient or inadequate.

it wasn't a roaring success

Suggests a failure to achieve significant success.

it was nothing to write home about

Indicates that something was unremarkable or ordinary.

FAQs

How can I use "it wasn't great" in a sentence?

You can use "it wasn't great" to express mild disappointment or dissatisfaction. For example, "The movie had good reviews, but "it wasn't great", in my opinion".

What's a more formal way to say "it wasn't great"?

More formal alternatives include "it was less than ideal" or "it didn't live up to expectations". These options are suitable for professional or academic settings.

Which is correct, "it wasn't great" or "it was not great"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "it wasn't great" is more common in spoken and informal written English. "It was not great" is slightly more formal but less frequently used.

What can I say instead of "it wasn't great" when something was terrible?

If something was terrible, you could say "it was awful", "it was terrible", or "it was a disaster". These phrases convey a stronger sense of negativity than "it wasn't great".