more than was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more than was" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare quantities or qualities, indicating that one thing exceeds another in a past context. Example: "The effort he put into the project was more than was expected from him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"George had to overcome more than was imaginable.

The Guardian - Sport

It's $200 billion more than was spent two years ago.

The New York Times

He added, "They did far more than was required".

The New York Times

"I probably let them in more than was necessary.

The New York Times

We took nothing more than was owed to us.

The New York Times - Magazine

Borrowing will be £120bn more than was planned in March.

The Guardian - Opinion

Here he beat-boxed more than was necessary.

The New York Times - Arts

These modern measurements reveal that oceans have warmed more than was previously thought.

University of California, Berkeley

Additional findings showed that all subjects 'overpaid', performing the operant response more than was required.

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

He may, indeed, have enjoyed himself more than was good for his health.

The Guardian

Those projections proved about 98% accurate, with emissions rising by even more than was projected.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more than was" to compare a current state or action to a past expectation or standard, emphasizing the degree of difference. For example, "The effort invested was more than was initially anticipated".

Common error

Avoid using "more than is" when referring to a past situation. "More than was" is specifically for comparing something to what it was in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more than was" functions primarily as a comparative element, indicating that a certain quantity, degree, or extent surpasses a previously established baseline or expectation. As Ludwig indicates, the structure is grammatically correct and common in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

15%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more than was" is a grammatically correct and frequently used comparative phrase that expresses an excess over a past state or expectation. Ludwig confirms its correctness and widespread usage. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase serves to emphasize a difference or deviation from a prior condition. To enhance clarity, consider formal alternatives like "exceeded what was". When utilizing this phrase, ensure you are comparing against a past baseline and avoid using it in present-tense constructions. Ultimately, "more than was" effectively highlights changes or deviations from previous states or expectations, serving as a versatile tool in various writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceeded what was

Replaces "more than" with "exceeded", emphasizing the act of surpassing a limit.

surpassed what was

Similar to 'exceeded what was', but with a slightly more formal tone.

greater than what was

Uses "greater than" to directly compare the magnitude or extent.

beyond what was

Suggests surpassing a boundary or limit that had been previously set.

more than previously

This alternative shortens the original phrase to emphasize a direct temporal comparison.

more than it used to be

Focuses on the change over time, highlighting a difference from a past state.

in excess of what was

Emphasizes that the amount or degree goes over a specified limit or expectation.

outstripped what was

Implies that something has not only exceeded but also left behind a previous level.

exceeding the former level

This alternative uses a more formal tone and focuses on the act of going beyond a prior established standard or measurement.

surpassing the original amount

Specifies that a quantity is higher than a given initial quantity or limit.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "more than was" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "exceeded what was", "greater than what was", or "in excess of what was" depending on the specific context.

Is it ever correct to use "more than is" instead of "more than was"?

"More than is" is used to describe a current state, while "more than was" refers to a comparison with a past state. For example, "The cost is more than is budgeted" (current) versus "The cost was more than was budgeted" (past).

What are some common contexts where I might use the phrase "more than was"?

You'll often find "more than was" used in contexts involving comparisons of financial figures, expectations, or requirements, particularly when describing changes or deviations from a past state.

What is the difference between "more than necessary" and "more than was"?

"More than necessary" indicates exceeding a required amount, while "more than was" describes a comparison to a past amount or expectation. One focuses on need, the other on comparison to the past.