that was fascinating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was fascinating" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something you experienced or learned was interesting or captivating. Example: "After the lecture on ancient civilizations, I turned to my friend and said, 'That was fascinating!'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

For artists painting sea battles in the Regency period, that was fascinating advice.

The Guardian - Arts

"It's almost like going back to old-school naturalism," Betchkal said, "where you paid attention to anything and everything that was fascinating.

The New York Times - Magazine

She was older than me, she was different, dark, sophisticated, 'in the world' in a way that was fascinating," she says.

The Guardian - Books

Thinking about the young Steichen, she said: "I could imagine this impassioned youth: moody, delightful, energetic, leaping into anything that was fascinating and new.

The New York Times - Books

Jenny Uglow's The Lunar Men, for example, that was fascinating – and didn't it feel terribly modern to have Watt, Wedgwood and Priestly all in the same "biography".

The Guardian - Books

What he discovered was an origin story that was fascinating and heartwarming enough to become a segment on This American Life; I won't spoil it for you.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

And you must see the Free Town — that's fascinating.

The New Yorker

"It's not fascinating reading, but stuff is in there that is fascinating".

The New York Times

It's that change and the effects of that change that are fascinating to me".

The Guardian - Film

There's something about him as an artist that's fascinating.

The Guardian

"There's a clash between European and Latin American cultures that's fascinating".

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was fascinating" to express genuine surprise or captivation. It's effective in conveying a strong positive reaction to something you've learned or experienced.

Common error

While "that was fascinating" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "that was particularly insightful" or "that proved to be quite enlightening" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was fascinating" functions as an exclamatory remark expressing the speaker's strong interest or captivation. As supported by Ludwig, it's a direct way to communicate that something was particularly engaging or thought-provoking. The examples show it used after hearing stories or witnessing events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was fascinating" is a grammatically sound and widely understood phrase used to express genuine interest and captivation. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. While its register is generally neutral, it's advisable to use more formal synonyms in highly academic or professional contexts. Predominantly found in news and media sources, the phrase effectively conveys a speaker's positive reaction to information, events, or performances. As shown by Ludwig, it's a versatile expression that communicates intrigue and appreciation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was intriguing

Replaces "fascinating" with "intriguing", suggesting something that aroused curiosity or interest.

that was captivating

Replaces "fascinating" with "captivating", emphasizing the ability to hold one's attention.

that was absorbing

Replaces "fascinating" with "absorbing", highlighting the ability to completely engage one's attention.

that was compelling

Replaces "fascinating" with "compelling", indicating a strong ability to evoke interest.

that was quite interesting

Adds the qualifier "quite", softening the intensity of the interest expressed.

i found that fascinating

Changes from a statement to a personal declaration of finding something fascinating.

that was remarkable

Shifts the focus to the noteworthy or exceptional nature of something.

that piqued my interest

Indicates that something stimulated or aroused interest.

that held my attention

Focuses on the ability of something to keep one's attention engaged.

that was thought-provoking

Emphasizes the ability of something to stimulate thought or reflection.

FAQs

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

You can use "that was fascinating" to express genuine interest after hearing a story, learning a fact, or experiencing something new. For example, "After the presentation, I thought, '"that was fascinating"!"'

What are some alternatives to "that was fascinating"?

Alternatives include "that was intriguing", "that was captivating", or "that was remarkable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "that was fascinating" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, using more formal alternatives like "that was insightful" or "that proved to be enlightening" may be more suitable for academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "that was fascinating" and "that is fascinating"?

"That was fascinating" refers to something that occurred in the past, while "that is fascinating" refers to something that is currently occurring or is a general truth. For example, "The lecture yesterday "that was fascinating"," versus, "Quantum physics "that is fascinating"".