that is was

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence 'that is was' is not correct and usable in written English.
You can not use it. Example: I thought the apple was tasty, but that is was not true.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

How, that is, was America to deploy its extraordinary power?

The New York Times - Magazine

It's not so much that All for One was terrible, more that is was underwhelming.

The Guardian - Music

It (syncing Google contacts and calendars unofficially through your wonderful free service, that is) was fun while it lasted.

TechCrunch

The fact that is was best-of-five sethefinalhe finaddsdds to the magnitude of his triumph.

BBC

Revenue was up 8% in 2005; operating profit (earnings before interest and taxes, that is) was $437 million, up 10%.

Forbes

After all, the screen (the TV screen, that is) was entering the American home like gangbusters.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Clinton Billll, that is — is right.

The New Yorker

"It's something that's been there.

Independent

These are lives that are being saved".

The New York Times

Yeah, that's been great.

Los Angeles Times

It's something that's been overlooked.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always double-check the structure when using "that", "is", and "was" together. Ensure "that" is followed by a subject (like "it") to create a grammatically sound sentence.

Common error

Avoid combining "that is" directly with a past tense verb form. Instead of saying "that is was", restructure the sentence to include the proper subject and verb conjugation, such as "that it was".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that is was" is primarily a grammatical error. Ludwig AI identifies it as incorrect in standard English. It often appears when attempting to connect a subordinate clause with a past tense verb incorrectly.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that is was" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI points out, this construction typically arises from an error in sentence structure when attempting to combine "that is" with a past tense verb. While examples exist across various sources, including news and media, they represent deviations from standard grammar. To correct this, consider alternatives such as "that it was" or "that was", depending on the intended meaning. Always ensure the sentence structure includes a subject between "that" and "was" to maintain grammatical accuracy. Avoiding this phrase in formal writing will enhance clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that it was

Corrects the grammatical structure by using the proper conjunction "it" to link the clauses.

that is what it was

Emphasizes the nature or identity of something in the past, providing additional clarification.

the fact that it was

Highlights the reality of a past event, emphasizing its factual existence.

that's what it was

Uses a contraction to make the sentence more conversational while maintaining grammatical correctness.

that was

Simplifies the phrase by omitting "is", focusing solely on the past tense state.

it was that

Inverts the structure to create a cleft sentence, emphasizing a specific element.

that is to say, it was

Adds clarification or rephrasing while ensuring proper grammar and flow.

it turned out to be

Expresses a discovery or realization about something's nature in the past.

it happened to be

Indicates a chance or coincidental aspect of a past situation or event.

the reality was that

Stresses the actual state or circumstances, often contrasting with a prior belief.

FAQs

Why is "that is was" considered grammatically incorrect?

In standard English, "that is" doesn't combine directly with a past tense verb. The phrase requires a subject like "it" to form a proper clause, such as "that it was".

What are some alternatives to using "that is was"?

Instead of "that is was", you can use alternatives like "that it was", "that was", or "the fact that it was", depending on the intended meaning.

How can I avoid using "that is was" in my writing?

Pay attention to sentence structure when using "that", "is", and "was". Ensure there's a subject (usually "it") between "that" and "was" to maintain grammatical correctness. For example, "I thought that is was a good idea" should be "I thought that it was a good idea".

Is there any context where "that is was" might be acceptable?

The phrase "that is was" is generally considered incorrect in formal writing. While you might encounter it in informal speech or writing, it's best to avoid it in situations where grammatical accuracy is important. Prefer correct constructions like that it was or "what it was" instead.