that there was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that there was" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used in informal writing to emphasize the truth or reality of a situation. For example: "I had no idea that there was such a thing as an underwater hotel until I did some research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

After that, there was no more comedy.

The New Yorker

After that, there was no looking back.

The New York Times

Beyond that, there was so much talent.

Yale University

Before that, there was upspeak.

The Guardian - Opinion

Before that, there was no guarantees.

The New Yorker

Aside from that, there was no damage.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

That, there, is a boat.

The New York Times

Without that, there's nothing".

Independent

Beyond that, there is silence.

The Economist

After that, there's upkeep.

The New York Times

Even after that, there's often trouble.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure that the context clearly establishes the timeframe for the "was" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "that there was" excessively in highly formal writing; opt for more concise phrasing to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that there was" functions as a declarative clause introducing a statement about the existence or occurrence of something in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase. Examples from Ludwig show it in contexts emphasizing a past reality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that there was" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to affirm the existence or occurrence of something in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media, its register remains generally neutral, though overuse should be avoided in highly formal contexts. Alternatives include "that there existed" or rephrasing for conciseness. Its function is primarily declarative, serving to introduce or emphasize a past reality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that there existed

Replaces "was" with "existed", emphasizing the state of being in the past.

the fact that there was

Adds emphasis by explicitly stating it as a fact.

that indeed there was

Adds emphasis using the word "indeed".

that it was the case that there was

More formal and verbose way of expressing the same idea.

that clearly there was

Indicates that the existence was obvious or evident.

that in reality there was

Highlights the reality or truth of the existence.

that undeniably there was

Implies that the existence cannot be disputed.

that previously there was

Indicates that something existed before a certain point in time.

that demonstrably there was

Emphasizes that the existence could be shown or proven.

the notion that there was

Frames the existence as a concept or idea.

FAQs

How can I use "that there was" in a sentence?

You can use "that there was" to emphasize the reality of a past situation, as in "I didn't realize "that there was" so much traffic at this hour".

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

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "that there existed", "the fact that there was", or simply rephrase the sentence to be more direct.

Is it grammatically correct to say "that there was"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "that there was". It's a common way to introduce a statement about something that existed in the past.

When is it best to use "that there was" instead of a simpler construction?

Use "that there was" when you want to emphasize or clarify the existence of something, particularly if it's being questioned or doubted. For example: "Despite what you heard, "that there was" indeed a party last night".