was all gone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was all gone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has completely disappeared or is no longer available. Example: "After the party, the food was all gone, and there was nothing left for the guests."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Now that was all gone, too".

The New York Times

And now it was all gone — boom!

The New Yorker

The money was all gone".

The Guardian

The inspiration was all gone.

The New Yorker

And then that was all gone.

The New York Times - Food

Besides, it was all gone pretty quickly".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

It was all going so well.

The New York Times - Sports

It was all going so predictably well.

Independent

That's all gone.

The New York Times

"They're all gone".

The New Yorker

It's all gone".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure the tense consistency within the sentence to maintain clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "was all gone" when referring to a portion or subset of something. The phrase indicates complete depletion or disappearance. For partial absence, use phrases like "mostly gone" or "partially depleted".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was all gone" functions as a stative description, indicating a completed state of absence or depletion. As Ludwig AI shows, it's typically used to describe a situation where something is completely finished or has disappeared. For example, "The money was all gone."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was all gone" is a versatile phrase used to describe the complete absence or depletion of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a state of total depletion and consider alternative expressions like "had vanished" or "was entirely depleted" to add nuance. Avoiding its use for partial depletions ensures clarity. It is a common and easily understood phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had completely disappeared

Emphasizes the disappearance or vanishing of something.

was entirely depleted

Focuses on the exhaustion of resources or supplies.

had vanished without a trace

Highlights the thoroughness and mystery of the disappearance.

was completely consumed

Specifically refers to something being used up or eaten entirely.

had ceased to exist

Emphasizes the termination or end of something's existence.

was totally used up

Focuses on the complete consumption or utilization of something.

was utterly exhausted

Highlights the extreme depletion of something, often resources or energy.

had dissipated entirely

Indicates that something has scattered or faded away completely.

was completely expended

Stresses that something was fully used and no longer remains.

had become extinct

Implies that something has died out or no longer exists.

FAQs

How can I use "was all gone" in a sentence?

Use "was all gone" to describe a state of complete depletion or disappearance. For instance, "By the time I arrived, the cake "was all gone"."

What are some alternatives to saying "was all gone"?

Alternatives include "had completely disappeared", "was entirely depleted", or "had vanished". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "were all gone" instead of "was all gone"?

"Were all gone" is appropriate when referring to plural subjects, while "was all gone" is used for singular subjects. For example, "The cookies "were all gone"" is correct if you are speaking of multiple cookies.

What is the difference between "was all gone" and "was simply gone"?

"Was all gone" emphasizes the thoroughness of the depletion, whereas "was simply gone" focuses more on the fact of disappearance without necessarily implying completeness. "The opportunity "was simply gone"" conveys a loss, while "The food "was all gone"" suggests nothing remained.