was it not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'was it not' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in place of a more formal, rhetorical question such as "Was it not the case?" or "Is it not true?" For example: "It was clear to everyone present, was it not?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Was it not?

Yale University

Why was it not included?

The New York Times

Or was it not a mistake?

The New Yorker

Was it not "fit to print"?

The New York Times

That meeting was effective, was it not?

The New York Times

Or was it not a profile?

The New York Times - Arts

Was it not part of Spanish culture?

The Economist

Why was it not built?

The Guardian - Opinion

So was it not important or what?

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Or is it not him?

Independent

Eventful Thursday is it not?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was it not" to add a touch of formality or emphasis when seeking confirmation, particularly in writing or formal speech.

Common error

Avoid using "was it not" excessively in casual conversation, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "right?" or "isn't it?" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was it not" functions primarily as a question tag, added to the end of a statement to invite confirmation or agreement from the listener. As seen in Ludwig, it is often used to emphasize a point or seek validation of a shared understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

44%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was it not" is a grammatically correct phrase that functions as a question tag, used to solicit agreement or confirmation. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is acceptable in written English and suitable for formal contexts. Its usage spans across various domains like News & Media and Academia. While versatile, it leans towards formality and should be used judiciously in casual conversations. Remember to leverage alternative phrases such as "isn't it" or "right" in informal contexts for a more natural tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

isn't it

This is a more common and versatile question tag, applicable to a wider range of situations.

is that not so

This phrase is a slightly more formal way of seeking confirmation or agreement.

is it not true

This alternative places more emphasis on the truthfulness of a statement.

right

A simple and informal way to seek confirmation or agreement.

correct

Another simple and informal way to seek confirmation or agreement, similar to 'right'.

surely

This implies a strong expectation of agreement.

indeed

A more emphatic and formal way of expressing agreement.

am i right

Directly asks for confirmation from the listener.

true

A very short form to show you expect the interlocutor to agree.

are we in agreement

A phrase to confirm or seek agreement in a formal setting.

FAQs

How can I use "was it not" in a sentence?

"Was it not" is typically used as a question tag at the end of a statement to seek confirmation or agreement. For example, "The meeting was effective, "was it not"?"

What phrases are similar in meaning to "was it not"?

Alternatives include "isn't it", "is that not so", "right", or "correct", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is "was it not" considered formal or informal?

"Was it not" leans towards the formal side. It is less common in everyday conversation compared to more casual question tags like "isn't it?"

When should I use "was it not" instead of "wasn't it"?

While both are grammatically valid, "was it not" is slightly more formal and emphasizes the question aspect more directly than the contracted form "wasn't it".