that was instructive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was instructive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something provided valuable information or insight after an explanation, presentation, or discussion. Example: "After attending the seminar on climate change, I must say that was instructive and opened my eyes to many new concepts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The almanac also furnished much incidental information that was instructive and entertaining and greatly appreciated where reading matter was scarce.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While these QIs are tentative, they provide an indication of the incidence of these adverse outcomes in hospital that was instructive in formulating the study proposal.

BMC Health Services Research

Glazunov studied Tchaikovsky's works and "found much that was new ... that was instructive for us as young musicians.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Those guys risk everything with a grace and aplomb that is instructive to all of us.

The Guardian

The English-language version is more cosmopolitan, offering a non-Western view of world events that is instructive, if not always persuasive.

The New York Times

But she does recommend that parents take along videotapes that are instructive and stimulating and that can be discussed as part of the ride.

The New York Times - Tech

But, as a matter of history, the idea that the amendment was meant to make the country "color-blind" is wrong, and wrong in a way that is instructive for people thinking about American race relations today.

The New Yorker

A good old newspaper brings you both headlines and articles that are relevant to your life and citizenship, news that is instructive or interesting or both, plus diversions, opinions and advertisements that you either seek out or discover by browsing.

The New York Times - Magazine

In addition, microscopic information that is instructive for developing more efficient COFs was obtained by analyzing the relationships between separation performance and framework structures.

Microporous and Mesoporous Materials

However, he's wrong in a way that is instructive and unfortunately common: He misunderstands platform businesses, like Uber (and Apple, which we'll get to in a second), and how they work.

TechCrunch

Andy Cornelius, a friend of mine who directs TV commercials, explained a pattern in the advertising business that is instructive for CTOs who have too much to do and too few resources.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal situations, but be mindful of the overall tone.

Common error

While generally acceptable, using "that was instructive" excessively in casual conversation can sound stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "that helped a lot" or "that was useful" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was instructive" functions as a comment or evaluation on something previously experienced or learned. Ludwig AI indicates it's a grammatically correct way to express that something provided valuable information or insight.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that was instructive" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that acknowledges the educational value or helpfulness of something. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. While relatively rare in overall frequency, it appears consistently across News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, suggesting a neutral to professional register. When employing this phrase, consider the context to avoid sounding overly formal in casual settings, and remember it refers to something in the past, as opposed to "that is instructive" which defines a present fact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was enlightening

Replaces "instructive" with a synonym that emphasizes a sense of discovery and understanding.

that was informative

Substitutes "instructive" with a term highlighting the conveyance of information.

that provided insight

Focuses on the act of giving insight, removing the past tense and specific adjective.

that offered a lesson

Highlights the teaching aspect, framing it as a learning opportunity.

that shed light on the matter

Emphasizes clarification and understanding of a topic.

that clarified the situation

Focuses on making something clearer and easier to understand.

that gave me a better understanding

Highlights the personal gain of understanding from the information received.

i found that to be educational

Changes the perspective to a personal assessment of the information's educational value.

it was an eye-opener

Uses an idiom to describe a surprising and insightful revelation.

that served as a good illustration

Frames the information as a clear and helpful example.

FAQs

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

You can use "that was instructive" to acknowledge that something provided valuable insight or information. For example, "After the presentation, I felt that "that was instructive" and helped me understand the process better."

What's a more formal way to say "that was instructive"?

In a more formal context, you might say "that was enlightening" or "that was particularly informative". These alternatives maintain a professional tone while conveying the same meaning.

Are there any synonyms for "that was instructive"?

Yes, you could use phrases like "that was educational", "that was enlightening", or "that was illuminating" as synonyms for "that was instructive". Alternatives like "that provided insight" or "I found that to be educational" can also work.

Is it correct to say "that is instructive" instead of "that was instructive"?

Yes, "that is instructive" is correct, but it implies the information is currently or generally instructive. "That was instructive" refers to something that provided instruction or insight in the past. The choice depends on the context and when the instructive event occurred.