this was the case

USAGE SUMMARY

'this was the case' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a situation that has already been mentioned or that is already known. For example: "I thought I knew the answer, but this was not the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Clearly, this was the case here.

The New York Times

This was the case with MF Global.

The New York Times

Gibson denies this was the case.

The Economist

This was the case with the Kravises.

The New York Times

But this was the case.

The New York Times

This was the case until the late 1970s.

The New York Times

This was the case with American International Group.

The New York Times

Tocqueville saw that this was the case.

The New York Times - Magazine

This was the case in our conversation.

The Guardian

This was the case with John Updike.

The Guardian - Books

This was the case with Alina.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this was the case" to clearly connect a current statement to a previously mentioned fact or scenario. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "this was the case" in very simple sentences where a more direct affirmation would suffice. For example, instead of saying "It rained, and this was the case", simply state "It rained, and it was true" or "It rained, indeed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this was the case" functions as a sentence connector, affirming a previously mentioned or implied situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this was the case" is a grammatically sound and versatile connector used to affirm a prior statement or situation. As verified by Ludwig AI, it's considered correct and usable in various writing styles, though best practice suggests avoiding overuse in simple sentences. Found predominantly in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. Alternatives include "that was so" or "such was the situation", offering similar meanings with slight variations in tone or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was so

Replaces "this" with "that" and uses a more concise expression of agreement.

that proved to be true

Highlights the verification or confirmation of the statement.

that held true

Focuses on the truth or validity of the statement over time.

the situation was as described

Formally confirms that the actual circumstances matched the earlier description.

it was indeed so

Adds emphasis and formality to the affirmation.

such was the situation

Emphasizes the state of affairs at the time.

so it turned out

Indicates a discovery or realization about the situation.

that's how it was

Offers a more conversational and informal way to express the same idea.

that's what occurred

Highlights the occurrence or happening of the situation.

it happened that way

Focuses on the sequence of events and how they unfolded.

FAQs

How can I use "this was the case" in a sentence?

You can use "this was the case" to confirm that a previously mentioned or implied statement is true. For example, "The company expected profits to increase, and "this was the case"."

What are some alternatives to "this was the case"?

Some alternatives include "that was so", "that held true", or "such was the situation", depending on the specific context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "this was the case"?

While grammatically correct, overuse in simple sentences can make your writing sound verbose. Consider using more direct affirmations in those instances.

How formal is the phrase "this was the case"?

The phrase "this was the case" is relatively neutral in formality. While suitable for both formal and informal writing, it may sound slightly more formal than alternatives like "that's how it was".