that wasn't

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that wasn't" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something previously mentioned or implied did not occur or was not the case. Example: "I thought the meeting was at 10 AM, but that wasn't the time we agreed on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A happiness that wasn't.

The New York Times

No, that wasn't right.

The New Yorker

The antievolution law that wasn't.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Wait, that wasn't you?

Forbes

something that wasn't physical.

SEP

‎"Definitely that wasn't me".

Los Angeles Times

"That wasn't her nature.

The New York Times

But that wasn't me.

Independent

Thankfully, that wasn't necessary.

The New Yorker

That wasn't it.

The New York Times

That wasn't completely clear.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that wasn't" to clearly negate a previous statement or expectation. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "that wasn't" when a more specific or descriptive negation is required. Overusing it can lead to ambiguity. Ensure the context makes it clear what "that" refers to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that wasn't" functions as a negative declarative statement. It commonly serves to contradict or correct a prior assumption, expectation, or statement. Ludwig confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability, supported by numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that wasn't" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to negate or correct a prior statement. Ludwig confirms its widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. It serves to clarify misunderstandings or contradict assumptions and its neutral register makes it appropriate for diverse forms of communication. When using "that wasn't", ensure clarity regarding the referent to avoid ambiguity, and consider more formal alternatives like "that was not" for more formal or emphatic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was not

Direct substitution, maintaining the same tense and meaning but using a more formal tone.

it wasn't that

Shifts the emphasis, often used to introduce an explanation or clarification.

it wasn't the case

Replaces "that" with "the case", focusing on a specific situation or condition.

that is not

Changes the tense to present, implying current state or relevance.

it simply wasn't

Adds emphasis with "simply", indicating a lack of complexity or an obvious truth.

that hardly seemed

Uses "hardly seemed" to express a lack of likelihood or appearance.

that did not happen

Focuses on the event not occurring, rather than a state of being.

it failed to be

Expresses a lack of success or realization of a certain state.

that proved incorrect

Highlights that a previous assumption or statement was found to be wrong.

it turned out to be false

Indicates the discovery of something being untrue after a period of time.

FAQs

How can I use "that wasn't" in a sentence?

Use "that wasn't" to contradict a previous statement or expectation. For example, "I thought I ordered the steak, but "that wasn't" what they brought me".

What are some alternatives to "that wasn't"?

Alternatives include "that was not", "it wasn't that", or simply rephrasing to state what something actually was instead.

Is it better to use "that wasn't" or "that was not"?

"That wasn't" is a contraction and more informal. "That was not" is more formal and can be used for emphasis or in more formal writing. The choice depends on the context and tone.

What's the difference between "that wasn't" and "it wasn't"?

"That wasn't" usually refers back to a specific statement or situation, whereas "it wasn't" can be used more generally when the reference is implied or already understood in the conversation.