that was amusing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was amusing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something was entertaining or funny in a past context. Example: "After watching the comedy show, I turned to my friend and said, 'That was amusing!'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

In Mr. Cage, Mr. Bruckheimer, who has a longstanding habit of mixing real actors in with the pyrotechnics, found a star who could ride out the most outlandish plot developments with a fully committed performance that was amusing (comedy helps the carnage go down more easily), yet never so self-amused it might alienate the audience.

The New York Times

"In retrospect, that was amusing," she said.

The New York Times

He found a style that was amusing and engaging, that captured mindfulness without solemnity.

The New Yorker

Victor Muss conducted with a solemnity that was amusing given the dancers' endearing giddiness.

The New York Times

Simon Valastro, the Alain at both performances, achieved all of this perfectly, with a concentrated stare of manic glee or childlike apprehension that was amusing and touching.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Stiller found plenty that was amusing about Roger, "who says things that are spot on" without censoring himself and is prone to embittered overstatements: when a friend innocently remarks that youth is wasted on the young, he sputters, "Life is wasted on -- people".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Angelica tells stories that are amusing and also touching.

The New York Times - Arts

"There's something about watching failure that is amusing," he says.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"It's a work that is amusing, troubling and mysterious, as well as very sensual at the same time," the Louvre's president, Henri Loyrette, said in The Guardian.

The New York Times

"We come up with ideas either just sitting around chatting or in the pub and like to do things that are amusing and a little poke at anarchy.

Independent

Almost anyone who takes a little trouble can put two unrelated images together with an effect that is amusing or disturbing (or both).

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was amusing" when you want to express mild amusement or a polite appreciation of humor. It's suitable for both casual and semi-formal contexts.

Common error

While "that was amusing" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise or sophisticated vocabulary to describe humor or entertainment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was amusing" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a subjective assessment of something as being mildly funny or entertaining. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and readily usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Arts

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that was amusing" is a grammatically correct and neutrally formal expression used to convey mild amusement or polite appreciation of humor. As Ludwig AI explains, it's a readily usable phrase, though less frequent than alternatives like "that was funny". Predominantly found in news and media, arts, and wiki sources, it serves to express a positive, albeit understated, reaction. To enhance clarity in formal settings, consider alternatives such as "that was comical" or "that was entertaining". Remember to avoid overusing "that was amusing" in highly formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was funny

This alternative uses a more common synonym for "amusing".

that was comical

This alternative emphasizes the humorous aspect of the situation.

that was hilarious

This alternative suggests a higher degree of amusement or laughter.

that was entertaining

This alternative focuses on the enjoyable or engaging quality of the experience.

that was a joke

This alternative explicitly labels something as a joke.

how amusing

This is a slightly more emphatic and direct response. Slightly changes the tone.

that's humorous

This alternative uses a more formal synonym for "funny".

that's rather amusing

This alternative adds a nuance of sophistication to the expression.

that's quite amusing

This alternative enhances the amusing quality by indicating something more than just a bit amusing.

that's delightful

This alternative uses a more positive adjective to describe the feeling.

FAQs

What does "that was amusing" mean?

The phrase "that was amusing" means that something was found to be funny or entertaining in a mild or understated way. It indicates a pleasant but not necessarily uproarious reaction.

What can I say instead of "that was amusing"?

You can use alternatives like "that was funny", "that was entertaining", or "that was comical" depending on the context.

Is "that was amusing" formal or informal?

The phrase "that was amusing" is generally considered to be neutral in formality. It can be used in both casual and semi-formal settings, but may sound slightly understated in very formal contexts.

How to use "that was amusing" in a sentence?

You can use "that was amusing" after experiencing something you find mildly funny or entertaining. For example, "After the comedian's performance, I thought, 'that was amusing'."