like it was

USAGE SUMMARY

‘like it was’ is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something in the past, as if it did not change. For example: "The beach was filled with tourists, just like it was last summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Like it was yesterday.

The New York Times

"Business wasn't like it was.

The New York Times

"It looked like it was.

The New York Times - Sports

"Like it was a punishment.

The New York Times - Sports

Or like it was.

The New York Times - Arts

Anderson recalls it like it was.

Independent

I still remember like it was yesterday".

The New York Times

It looked like it was completely unprovoked".

Independent

It was like it was destiny".

The New York Times - Sports

It wasn't like it was embezzlement.

The New York Times

"I felt like it was deep enough.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "like it was" to effectively compare a current situation to a past state, emphasizing continuity or a lack of change over time.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses inappropriately when using "like it was". Ensure the surrounding sentences maintain a consistent past tense to avoid grammatical errors and maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "like it was" functions as a conjunction phrase, primarily used to introduce a comparison to a past state or condition. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in various contexts, reinforcing its role in making such comparisons.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "like it was" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to compare a current state to a past state. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides ample examples across diverse sources, predominantly in news and media. It serves to draw comparisons, emphasize continuity, or evoke nostalgia. When writing, it's important to maintain consistent tense usage and consider alternatives such as "as it used to be" or "just as it was" to refine your meaning. "Like it was" effectively bridges past and present, offering a valuable tool for descriptive and comparative writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just as it was

Emphasizes the identical nature of a current state to a past state, conveying a sense of no change.

still the same as it was

Emphasizes the continuation of a previous state into the present without any modifications.

no different from what it was

Underscores the lack of change or alteration between a past state and the present.

as it used to be

This alternative emphasizes a past condition or state that is no longer present, highlighting the change over time.

as it had been

Focuses on a prior state or condition, often implying a return to or continuation of that state.

the way it was before

Highlights a previous condition, implying a return to that prior state, and focusing on sequence of events.

similar to how it was

Emphasizes a similarity in condition or state, rather than an exact replication, and focuses on comparison.

reminiscent of how it had been

This alternative evokes a feeling of remembering or recalling a past state, adding a nostalgic tone.

in the same manner as it was

Highlights the continuation of a process or action without change in method or approach.

like it previously existed

Focuses on the resemblance to a former state, implying a restoration or recreation of that prior condition.

FAQs

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

You can use "like it was" to compare a present situation to a past state, such as in "The town looked "like it was" decades ago, untouched by modern development".

What are some alternatives to "like it was"?

Alternatives include "as it used to be", "just as it was", or "the way it was before", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "like it was" grammatically correct?

Yes, "like it was" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express a similarity to a past condition or state.

What's the difference between "like it is" and "like it was"?

"Like it is" refers to the present state, while "like it was" refers to a past state. For example, "The weather is "like it is" always sunny" versus "The weather was "like it was" last summer, very hot and dry".