there was really

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there was really" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the truth or intensity of a situation or feeling. Example: "There was really a sense of excitement in the air during the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There was really no protection".

The New York Times

There was really something there".

The New Yorker

"There was really a connection".

The New York Times

There was really no action in it.

The New Yorker

There was really the opposite problem.

The New Yorker

There was really 2, 3 seconds delay.

The New York Times

"There was really nothing here in Hanalei.

The New York Times - Travel

There was really no rabbi.

The New York Times

There was really no playbook".

The Guardian - Music

There was really nothing he didn't do".

The New York Times - Sports

"There was really nothing they could do.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there was really" to emphasize the genuineness or unexpectedness of a situation. It's effective when highlighting a surprising lack of something or a stronger-than-expected presence.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "there was really" in formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound less sophisticated than alternatives such as "there truly was" or a more descriptive phrasing of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there was really" functions as an emphatic existential clause, asserting the existence of something with an added layer of emphasis or surprise. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there was really" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for emphasizing the existence, intensity, or unexpectedness of a situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is best suited for neutral contexts and is commonly found in news and media sources. While versatile, consider alternatives like "there truly was" in more formal settings to enhance sophistication. Overusing this phrase should be avoided to maintain the impact of its emphasis. Overall, its prevalence and grammatical correctness make it a reliable choice for everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there genuinely was

Emphasizes authenticity with a stronger adverb.

there absolutely was

Emphasizes certainty and completeness.

it genuinely was

Emphasizes authenticity with a stronger adverb.

there truly was

Replaces 'really' with 'truly' to underscore truthfulness.

it truly happened

Replaces 'really' with 'truly' to underscore truthfulness.

it certainly was

Indicates a lack of doubt or question.

it actually existed

Focuses on the existence of something in reality.

in reality, there was

Highlights that something was factual and not imagined.

it did indeed occur

Formally affirms an event took place.

without a doubt, there was

Adds emphasis by negating any uncertainty.

FAQs

How can I use "there was really" in a sentence?

You can use "there was really" to emphasize the truth or intensity of a situation. For example, "there was really no other option" or "there was really nothing they could do".

What can I say instead of "there was really"?

You can use alternatives like "there truly was", "it genuinely was", or "there absolutely was" depending on the context.

Is it okay to start a sentence with "there was really"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "there was really". This construction is used to introduce a statement or situation that you want to emphasize. For example: "There was really no problem at all".

What's the difference between "there was really" and "there truly was"?

"There was really" and "there truly was" are similar, but "there truly was" often conveys a stronger sense of sincerity or unexpectedness. "Really" indicates a general emphasis, while "truly" emphasizes the genuine nature of the situation.