this was is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this was is" is not correct in written English.
It appears to be a grammatical error, as it combines two verbs in a way that does not make sense. Example: "This was is a mistake that needs to be corrected."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Yes, this was is just one poll, with a pretty small sample.

The New Yorker

Just how dramatic a change in economic policy this was is evidenced by the vituperativeness of the opposition, with strident predictions of vast increases in unemployment and recession.

The New York Times

The media, he continued, was wrong to portray the occupation of federal lands as a violent act: "This was, is, has been and intends to always be a peaceful demonstration".

The Guardian

The official line of First Great Western, whose service this was, is that "Cycles are welcome on our trains... we encourage the use of folding bikes which can be easily taken on board trains".

The Guardian

"Be completely open and say: 'Listen, this was is what happened in the sport back then but it's definitely not happening any more, and these are the reasons.'.

BBC

Which species this was is not known precisely.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

This was being equal to the night.

The New Yorker

"All this was was a path forward.

The New Yorker

This was being done systematically.

Huffington Post

This was being offensive to be offensive.

Vice

Why this is is not known.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "this was is" in your writing. It's grammatically incorrect. Use "this is" or "this was" depending on the intended tense.

Common error

Do not combine past and present tenses unnecessarily. Saying "this was is" creates redundancy; choose the tense that accurately reflects the time frame you're referencing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this was is" is a grammatically incorrect construction that attempts to combine past and present tenses. As Ludwig AI highlights, this creates a redundancy. It's typically intended to function as a statement of fact, but fails due to the grammatical error.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "this was is" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal and informal writing. As Ludwig AI points out, it combines past and present tenses in a redundant way. While examples of its usage can be found, especially in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts, these instances represent errors rather than correct usage. Always use "this is" for present tense or "this was" for past tense to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy. Remember that clear and grammatically sound communication enhances credibility in any context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is

Corrects the tense and removes the redundant "was", presenting the present form.

this was

Uses the past tense correctly without the present tense "is".

this is what it was

Adds context to clarify the past state of something, avoiding grammatical errors.

this is what this was

More explicitly states that what now "is" is the result of the earlier "was".

this used to be

Conveys a change from a past state to the present, different wording compared to the query.

this has been

Highlights the continuous state from the past till now.

the situation is

Emphasizes the current situation.

the case is

Highlights the present state or fact.

what this amounts to is

Shifts focus to the result or summary of a situation.

what this entails is

Emphasizes the consequences or implications of a situation.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "this was is"?

The phrase "this was is" is not correct. Depending on the context, you should use either "this is" or "this was".

When should I use "this is" instead of "this was is"?

Use "this is" when referring to a current state or situation. For example, "This is my car."

When should I use "this was" instead of "this was is"?

Use "this was" when referring to a past state or situation. For example, "This was my favorite song last year."

Are there situations where "this was is" might be acceptable?

No, "this was is" is generally considered a grammatical error in standard English. Always opt for "this is" or "this was" for clarity and correctness.