so was

USAGE SUMMARY

"so was" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when comparing two things and expressing that they both share a certain quality or characteristic. For example, "He was compassionate, and so was his partner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So was forceful.

The New Yorker

So was his grandfather.

The Economist

So was the Constitution!

The New York Times

So was Germ.

The New York Times

So was speaking.

The New Yorker

So was his workload.

The New York Times - Sports

So was it random?

The New York Times

So was Lendl.

The New York Times - Magazine

So was famine.

The New York Times

So was Ms. Moriarty.

The New York Times

So was Lenny Bruce.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "so was" to concisely indicate that a characteristic or condition true of one subject is also true of another, avoiding repetition and maintaining a smooth flow in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "so was" in overly complex sentences where clarity is compromised. Ensure the sentence structure is straightforward, making it immediately clear what is being compared and what characteristic is being shared. Overly long or convoluted sentences can lead to ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so was" functions as an elliptical construction, specifically an auxiliary inversion, used to express agreement or shared characteristics with a preceding statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct grammatical construct. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate its use in mirroring previously stated attributes or conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

13%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "so was" serves as an elliptical construction to indicate agreement or shared characteristics with a previous statement. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically correct and usable. Its function is to concisely express that a condition or attribute true of one subject also applies to another. The phrase is versatile, fitting into neutral registers and appearing frequently in news and media sources, as well as academic contexts. While alternatives like "similarly" or "likewise" exist, "so was" provides a direct and efficient means of highlighting parallels, though care should be taken to ensure clarity in complex sentence structures. Ludwig's examples show it being used effectively across a broad range of written material.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

similarly

This alternative is a single-word adverb that concisely expresses the same idea of shared characteristics.

likewise

This alternative, like "similarly", is a single-word adverb that provides a direct and concise parallel.

the same goes for

This alternative is a longer phrase that explicitly states that the previous statement also applies to the current subject.

as well

This alternative is a short, simple addition to a statement to indicate that something else is also true.

also

This alternative is a single-word adverb that adds information, indicating a similarity to what was previously mentioned.

too

This alternative is a brief addition, indicating that something applies to the current subject in addition to a previous one.

it was the same with

This alternative emphasizes that the situation or condition was identical for both subjects.

and so it was with

This alternative is a more formal way of introducing a parallel situation or condition.

this was also true for

This alternative explicitly states that the characteristic or condition applies to both subjects.

equally

This alternative is a single-word adverb emphasizing that both subjects share the characteristic to the same degree.

FAQs

How can I use "so was" in a sentence?

Use "so was" to indicate that something true of a previous subject is also true of another. For example, "He was tired, and "so was" she."

What are some alternatives to "so was"?

Alternatives include "similarly", "likewise", or "the same goes for", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "so was" at the beginning of a sentence?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence with "so was" is less common. It's typically used to follow up on a previous statement. A phrase like "similarly" might be a better fit to start a sentence with a comparison.

What's the difference between "so was" and "as well"?

"So was" is typically used to mirror a previous statement about a subject. "As well" is broader and can be used to add information in various contexts, not just to reflect a previous statement about a different subject. In the sentence "He was good and she was good as well", you can also say ""so was" she".