this was somewhere

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this was somewhere" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurred at an unspecified location in the past. Example: "I remember a time when this was somewhere I felt truly happy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"If this was somewhere else, we wouldn't have done it," said Jerry Buckley, Campbell's vice president of public affairs.

The New York Times

"When we were growing up, this was somewhere to come," says Craig. "Now, you've got so many people struggling.

The Guardian

Two Thirty Nine 10th Avenue was one of those pieces of land that when I saw it, I knew that this was somewhere I could create something special.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This is somewhere in the '80s.

The New York Times

"This is somewhere between a rain storm and a hurricane".

The New York Times

This is somewhere to come to say you went.

The Guardian - Arts

This is somewhere to halt for a while.

The Guardian - Travel

"This is somewhere between history and bottom-up journalism," Mr. Barton said.

The New York Times - Arts

This is somewhere that's a pleasure to come to in the mornings.

The Guardian

Today the rate is A$1.57, meaning this is somewhere to watch what you spend carefully.

The Guardian - Travel

There are plain books and then films, and this is somewhere in between.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this was somewhere" when you want to refer to a place in the past without specifying exactly where it was, focusing on the experience or memory associated with it.

Common error

Ensure that the context provides enough information for the reader to understand what "somewhere" refers to. If the location is important, consider providing more specific details instead of relying on "this was somewhere".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this was somewhere" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating an unspecified location in the past. Ludwig examples show it used to describe past states or experiences associated with a place.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "this was somewhere" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe a location in the past without specifying its exact identity. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides real-world examples, although its frequency is rare. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts and serves to evoke a sense of nostalgia or change associated with a place, as it's seen on the example provided by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this used to be a place

Replaces "was" with "used to be", emphasizing a past state or condition of a place.

this once was a location

Emphasizes a past state using "once was", referring specifically to a location.

this area had been

Focuses on a specific area's past state, using "had been" to indicate a completed action in the past.

this place formerly was

Uses "formerly" to highlight a previous state of a place.

this had been a spot

Replaces "somewhere" with "spot", indicating a specific location in the past.

this location existed as

Highlights the past existence of a location or place.

this was once considered

Changes the focus to a past consideration or opinion about a place.

this used to serve as

Focuses on the past function or purpose of a place.

this was a destination back then

Adds a temporal reference, indicating the location was a destination in the past.

this was an area in prior times

Emphasizes the historical aspect of the area.

FAQs

How can I use "this was somewhere" in a sentence?

You can use "this was somewhere" to refer to a place in the past, often emphasizing a change or a memory associated with it. For example: "I remember a time when "this was somewhere" I felt safe."

What are some alternatives to "this was somewhere"?

Alternatives include "this used to be a place", "this once was a location", or "this area had been". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "this was somewhere" grammatically correct?

Yes, "this was somewhere" is grammatically correct. It uses the demonstrative pronoun "this", the past tense of the verb "to be", and the adverb "somewhere" to refer to an unspecified location.

When should I use "this was somewhere" instead of a more specific location?

Use "this was somewhere" when the exact location is not important, or when you want to emphasize the feeling or memory associated with a place rather than its specific details. For example, you might say "this was somewhere" special to me, without needing to say what this place was exactly.