the score was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the score was" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it in a sports report to describe the outcome of a game: "The score was 24-17 in the final quarter, giving the home team the victory!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The score was close.

The New York Times - Sports

The score was 30-30.

The New York Times

The score was tied, 2-2.

The New York Times - Sports

Within two batters, the score was tied.

The New York Times - Sports

By Saturday, the score was 9 5.

The New Yorker

The score was tied at 38-38.

The New York Times - Sports

The score was 2-1: game on.

The New York Times - Sports

The score was 3-3, and..

The New York Times - Sports

The score was tied through two periods.

The New York Times - Sports

At halftime, the score was 0 0.

The New Yorker

Deadlines loomed, the score was not ready.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the score was" to clearly state the numerical standing in games, tests, or other scenarios where points are tracked. Ensure the context makes it clear what the score refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "the score was" when describing subjective evaluations or qualitative assessments. "Score" implies a numerical value, so use more appropriate terms like "assessment", "evaluation", or "result" when referring to non-numerical judgments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the score was" functions as a declarative statement indicating a particular state or numerical result at a given moment. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the score was" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for stating numerical results, particularly in games, tests, and similar contexts. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. The phrase is predominantly found in news and media reporting and is generally neutral in register. When using the phrase, ensure that it refers to a quantifiable metric and avoid substituting it for broader, subjective assessments. Consider alternatives like "the result stood at" for variety. Be mindful of the grammatical agreement; "score" is singular and requires "was". Overall, "the score was" is a reliable and direct way to communicate factual information about numerical outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at that moment the score was

Adds emphasis on a specific time, highlighting the score at that particular instance.

the final score registered

Emphasizes the finality of the score using "registered".

the result stood at

Replaces "score" with "result" and uses "stood at" to describe the state.

the tally showed

Uses "tally" instead of "score" and "showed" to indicate the display of the result.

the count reached

Replaces "score" with "count" and uses "reached" to denote the final number.

the state of play was

Shifts the focus to the overall situation of the game rather than the explicit numerical score.

the game stood at

Focuses on the game's state, using "stood at" to indicate the current score.

the standings reflected

Changes the focus to standings, implying the score's impact on overall ranking.

the figures indicated

Uses "figures" instead of "score", suggesting a more formal or statistical context.

the reading came to

Implies a measurement or reading, suitable for non-sporting contexts where a score is measured.

FAQs

How can I use "the score was" in a sentence?

Use "the score was" to clearly indicate the points or goals achieved by participants in a game, match, or test, for example, "At halftime, "the score was" tied at 0-0".

What's a synonym for "the score was" in a sports context?

In a sports context, consider using synonyms like "the game stood at" or "the result stood at" to vary your phrasing.

Is it correct to say "the score were"?

No, it is incorrect to say "the score were". "Score" is singular in this context, so the correct phrase is ""the score was"".

When should I not use the phrase "the score was"?

Avoid using "the score was" when you're referring to a subjective evaluation or non-numerical assessment. Use terms like "the assessment" or "the evaluation" instead.