was popular

USAGE SUMMARY

"was popular" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a past-tense verb and is typically used to describe something that was accepted, famous, or well-liked at one point in time. For example, "The band Rolling Stones was popular in the 60s and 70s."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And he was popular.

Huffington Post

Secretariat was popular, his owner was popular.

The New York Times

My husband was popular.

The New Yorker

I was popular.

The New Yorker

(George really was popular).

The New York Times - Magazine

She was popular".

The New Yorker

FISHER: I was popular.

The New Yorker

Jay Leno was popular.

The New York Times

He was popular and outgoing.

The New York Times

Coloring eggs was popular, too.

The New Yorker

Curry was popular with girls.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the popularity of something, consider specifying the time period or context to provide clarity. For example, instead of just saying "jazz was popular", specify "jazz was popular in the 1920s".

Common error

Avoid assuming that because something "was popular" in one place or time, it necessarily remained so elsewhere or at all times. Always provide context to avoid misleading readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was popular" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a subject's state of being well-liked or widely accepted in the past. Ludwig shows many examples where it modifies nouns, indicating past favor. The phrase is a common way to express past popularity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Encyclopedias

21%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was popular" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe something that enjoyed widespread favor or acceptance in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase functions as a predicate adjective and is most frequently found in news and media sources. When using "was popular", it’s best practice to specify the time period or context to provide clarity, and avoid overgeneralizing its popularity. Consider alternatives like "was widely accepted" or "was all the rage" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was widely accepted

Focuses on the acceptance aspect of popularity, suggesting broad agreement or approval.

was well-received

Highlights the positive reception something got, emphasizing approval from others.

enjoyed widespread favor

Replaces "was popular" with a more formal expression indicating approval and acceptance.

was a hit

Suggests something was very successful or well-liked.

was all the rage

Implies something was extremely fashionable or trendy for a period.

was in vogue

Similar to "was all the rage", emphasizing trendiness and fashion.

was fashionable

Emphasizes the trendiness or stylishness of something during a specific time.

was in demand

Indicates that something was highly requested or sought after.

had a following

Implies that something or someone attracted a group of dedicated fans or supporters.

gained traction

Focuses on the increasing popularity and momentum something achieved.

FAQs

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

You can use "was popular" to describe anything that enjoyed widespread favor or acceptance at some point in the past. For example, "That song "was popular" during the summer of 1998."

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

"Was popular" refers to something that used to be well-liked but may not be anymore, while "is popular" indicates current widespread favor. For example, "Bell-bottom jeans "was popular" in the 70s, but skinny jeans "is popular" now."

What can I say instead of "was popular"?

You can use alternatives like "was widely accepted", "was all the rage", or "was in vogue" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "were popular" instead of "was popular"?

Yes, use "were popular" when referring to plural subjects. For example, "Those movies "were popular" with teenagers", while "That movie "was popular" with critics."