what was it

USAGE SUMMARY

"what was it" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to inquire about something that has been mentioned previously. For example: "I thought I heard something outside, what was it?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

What was it like at its worst?

The Guardian

"What was it about?

The New York Times

What was it worth?

The New York Times

What was it again?

The Economist

And what was it?

The New York Times

NADIA: What was it?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

What is "it" referring to?

Biology Direct

Ultimately, what is it?

The New York Times

What's it doing?

The New Yorker

For what is it?

The New Yorker

What is it showing?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase to invite elaboration in interviews or narrative writing, as seen in Ludwig's examples from The New Yorker and The Guardian.

Common error

Writers sometimes mistakenly use "what was it" when referring to a plural set of items. If the subject you are inquiring about is plural, you must use "<a href="/s/what+were+they" target="_blank" rel="alternative">what were they" to maintain correct grammatical agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what was it" serves as a past-tense interrogative clause. It consists of the interrogative pronoun "what", the linking verb "was", and the dummy or personal pronoun "it". According to Ludwig, it is primarily used to seek the identity of a singular subject that has already been introduced or implied.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what was it" is a standard, grammatically correct English question used to identify a previously mentioned or implied singular object or event. Ludwig AI confirms that it is highly frequent in professional journalism and scientific literature. While simple, its effectiveness lies in its brevity and directness. When using it, writers should ensure the pronoun "it" has a clear antecedent. For plural subjects, one should switch to "<a href="/s/what+were+they" target="_blank" rel="alternative">what were they". Overall, it is an essential tool for clarification in any writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what exactly was it

Adds a request for precision or specific details

what was that

Refers to something more distant or a specific event just witnessed

what was it like

Shifts the focus from identification to description and experience

which was it

Implies a choice between specific known options

what were they

Uses plural agreement for multiple subjects

what was the thing

More informal or used when the speaker is struggling to recall a name

what happened

Focuses on the event or action rather than the object

what did it mean

Asks for the significance or interpretation of the subject

what occurred

A more formal way to ask about an event

what was the cause

Inquires about the origin or reason behind the subject

FAQs

How do I use "what was it" in a sentence?

You can use it to ask for clarification about a sound, an object, or an event mentioned earlier. For example: "I heard a loud bang last night; <a href="/s/what+was+it" target="_blank" rel="alternative">what was it?"

What is the difference between "what was it" and "what was that"?

While similar, "<a href="/s/what+was+that" target="_blank" rel="alternative">what was that" often refers to something external or physically distant, whereas "what was it" is frequently used for conceptual or previously mentioned items.

Is "what was it" correct in formal writing?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in all registers. In very formal research, you might prefer "<a href="/s/what+was+the+nature+of+the" target="_blank" rel="alternative">what was the nature of the" followed by the subject, but "what was it" is widely used in scientific journals found in Ludwig.

Can I say "what was it like" instead?

Use "<a href="/s/what+was+it+like" target="_blank" rel="alternative">what was it like" when you want to know about the qualities or the experience of something, rather than just its identity.