was confidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was confidence" is grammatically correct but may not be commonly used in written English without additional context.
It can be used when discussing a past state or feeling of confidence, often in a reflective or analytical context. Example: "In that moment, what I felt most strongly was confidence in my abilities to succeed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

"The difference was confidence.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was confidence dressed up really nicely".

The New York Times - Sports

Here was confidence if nothing else.

The Guardian - Sport

What it possessed above all was confidence.

The New York Times - Arts

It was confidence and self-belief that won it.

The Guardian - Opinion

There was confidence there, there was technical ability there".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

"I was confidence-driven.

The Guardian - Music

"Collectively, it was confidence-inspiring.

The New York Times - Tech

The legend of "Sully," the crackerjack captain who landed an engineless plane in the river, was more alarming than it was confidence-building: this was clearly a pilot of exceptional skill and calm — a superhuman of the skies — and the popular narration of his story implied that only a hero could have rescued that plane.

The New Yorker

"We trained hard, but a lot of the training was confidence-building stuff.

BBC

That was confidence-building.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was confidence", ensure the context clearly establishes what or who possessed the confidence. Consider adding clarifying details to enhance the phrase's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "was confidence" in excessively abstract or vague sentences. Ground the phrase by connecting it to specific actions or situations where confidence was evident.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was confidence" functions primarily as a predicative complement, linking a subject to a state of being. It describes a quality or characteristic that existed at a particular time. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was confidence" is grammatically acceptable but rare. While it correctly conveys a past state of assurance or certainty, its infrequent use suggests considering alternative phrasing for enhanced clarity and impact. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is indeed grammatically correct. When using this phrase, ensuring clarity through contextual details is paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there was assurance

Modifies the structure to emphasize the presence of assurance.

possessed assurance

Replaces "confidence" with a synonym, highlighting a feeling of certainty.

showed conviction

Emphasizes the strength of belief, a close relative to confidence.

exhibited confidence

Focuses on the outward display of confidence, rather than an internal state.

demonstrated certainty

Highlights the act of showing sureness.

it embodied self-belief

Emphasizes that something represented or contained self-belief.

displayed faith

Shifts the focus to trust or belief, a key aspect of confidence.

it reflected sureness

Focuses on how something mirrored confidence.

I felt confident

Changes from a general statement to a personal feeling of confidence.

had a sense of certainty

Expresses a feeling of conviction.

FAQs

How can I use "was confidence" in a sentence?

You can use "was confidence" to describe a past state of assurance or certainty. For example: "The key to their victory /s/was+confidence/."

What phrases are similar to "was confidence"?

Similar phrases include "there was assurance", "it showed conviction", or "possessed assurance", each with slightly different nuances.

Is it better to say "there was confidence" or "was confidence"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "there was confidence" is more commonly used. "Was confidence" is often found in more reflective or analytical contexts.

In what contexts might I use "was confidence"?

You might use "was confidence" when discussing a past feeling or attitude, especially when analyzing factors that led to a particular outcome. Consider clarifying what or who /s/possessed+assurance/ in the sentence.