was easy

USAGE SUMMARY

'was easy' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that was completed with ease. For example, 'The mathematics problem was easy to solve.'.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Mingling was easy.

The New York Times - Arts

Oil was easy then.

The Economist

It was easy money.

The Economist

China was easy prey.

The New Yorker

The transition was easy.

The New York Times - Sports

Funny was easy.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Life was easier.

The New York Times

It was easier.

The New York Times - Arts

I was easy-going.

BBC

The teardown is easy.

The New York Times - Sports

"Would this be easy?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a task or process, use "was easy" to clearly communicate that it required minimal effort or presented no significant challenges.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "was easy" to describe simplicity. Vary your language by using synonyms like "straightforward", "simple", or "effortless" to provide richer and more engaging descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was easy" functions as a predicate adjective, where "was" is a linking verb connecting the subject to the adjective "easy". Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and usable in written English. It describes a state of being, indicating that something presented minimal difficulty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was easy" serves as a straightforward way to express that a task or situation presented minimal difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and widely used in English. The phrase is frequently found in news articles, academic papers, and scientific publications, indicating its broad applicability. When using "was easy", consider varying your language with synonyms to avoid repetition and enrich your writing. This expression is considered to be neutral in register and frequently used according to the analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proved to be simple

Emphasizes the simplicity of the action or task.

presented no difficulty

Replaces "was easy" with a more formal expression emphasizing the absence of difficulty.

posed no challenge

Focuses on the lack of challenge presented.

turned out to be straightforward

Highlights the direct and uncomplicated nature of something.

didn't require much effort

Focuses on the low amount of effort involved, rather than direct easiness.

was undemanding

Highlights that the task required little exertion or skill.

was a breeze

Uses an idiom to convey the ease of something.

was as simple as pie

Uses a common idiom to convey extreme ease.

involved minimal hassle

Emphasizes the absence of inconvenience or trouble.

required little skill

Focuses on the low skill level needed.

FAQs

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

You can use "was easy" to describe a task, situation, or process that required minimal effort or presented no difficulty. For example, "The test "was easy"", or "The solution "was easy" to find".

What are some alternatives to saying "was easy"?

Alternatives include "was simple", "was straightforward", "presented no difficulty", or "didn't require much effort". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "was easily" instead of "was easy"?

While "easily" is an adverb, "easy" is an adjective. "Was easy" is generally correct when describing the nature of something. "Was easily" isn't typically used in the same way; it would modify a verb, not a subject complement.

What's the difference between "was easy" and "is easy"?

"Was easy" refers to something that occurred in the past and presented no difficulty, while "is easy" refers to something that is currently simple or requires little effort. For example, "The task "was easy" yesterday" versus "The task "is easy" today".