that this was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that this was" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to introduce a clause that explains something previously mentioned in the sentence. Example: I was surprised by how much fun the party was last night. However, I had heard rumors that this was going to be a memorable event.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He knew that this was wrong.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We knew that this was discrimination.

The New York Times

(Couric emphatically denied that this was so).

The New Yorker

I felt that this was my sin.

The New Yorker

Instead, Peckham emphasized that this was work.

The New Yorker

He suggested that this was nothing new.

The New Yorker

(Steinmetz told me that this was false).

The New Yorker

Fournier insisted that this was irrelevant.

The New Yorker

I suggested that this was juvenile.

The New Yorker

I knew that this was it.

Independent

Never mind that this was untrue.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that this was" to clearly connect a preceding statement or event with its explanation or consequence. For example, "The engine failed; that this was the critical point in the race became immediately apparent."

Common error

Avoid using "that this was" when a simpler construction is more direct and effective. For example, instead of "The reason was that this was the only option", consider "The reason was that it was the only option."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that this was" functions as a connector introducing a subordinate clause. It serves to provide additional context, explanation, or consequence related to a preceding statement. As evidenced by Ludwig AI's analysis, the phrase is grammatically correct and versatile across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that this was" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed construction used to introduce a clause explaining or elaborating on a previous statement. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its validity and versatility across varied contexts. It is suitable for neutral to formal writing and commonly found in news articles, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. To use "that this was" effectively, ensure it provides a clear and logical connection, avoiding redundancy and choosing simpler alternatives when appropriate. The prevalence of this phrase across authoritative sources like The New York Times and BBC underscores its reliability in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this confirmed that it was

Directly states that something was verified as fact

it became clear that this was

Emphasizes the gradual realization of the situation.

the conclusion was that this was

Highlights that the statement is result of a more detailed investigation

it turned out that this was

Adds an element of surprise or discovery to the statement.

it was understood that this was

Focuses on a general understanding or consensus.

this indicated that

Changes the structure to emphasize indication rather than a simple statement of fact.

the perception was that this was

Highlights that the statement is the result of a personal or public perception

the implication was that this was

Highlights the inferred meaning rather than a stated fact.

this implied it was

Focuses on the implicit meaning rather than direct confirmation.

this suggested that it was

Introduces a sense of suggestion or implication, rather than direct confirmation.

FAQs

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

You can use "that this was" to introduce a clause that explains or provides more information about a previous statement. For instance, "The team's morale was low; that this was due to the recent losses was evident".

What are some alternatives to "that this was"?

Alternatives include phrases like "this indicated that", "it became clear that this was", or "this confirmed that it was", depending on the intended nuance.

Is it always necessary to use "that" before "this was"?

While not always strictly necessary, including "that" often improves the clarity and flow of the sentence, particularly in more formal writing. Omitting "that" is acceptable in some informal contexts.

What's the difference between "that this was" and "because this was"?

"That this was" typically introduces an explanation or clarification, whereas "because this was" indicates a direct cause-and-effect relationship. For example, "He succeeded; that this was due to hard work is undeniable" versus "He succeeded because this was his only goal".