whatever it was

USAGE SUMMARY

'whatever it was' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are acknowledging something without specifying what the thing is. For example: "I heard a strange noise coming from the kitchen, but I'm not sure what it was - whatever it was, it's gone now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Whatever it was.

The New York Times

"Lost whatever it was.

The New Yorker

Anyway, whatever it was.

Stanford University

Whatever it was infuriated him.

The New York Times - Magazine

Or whatever it was.

The New Yorker

Whatever, it was inspirational.

The Guardian - Sport

Whatever it was, it was not enough.

The New York Times

This thing, whatever it was, was important.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

And he has "it," whatever "it" is.

The New York Times

Whatever "it" is, turn it up.

WikiHow

Whatever it is, appreciate its nuances slowly.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "whatever it was" to acknowledge something without needing to define it precisely, maintaining a conversational tone.

Common error

Avoid using "whatever it was" in formal documents or academic papers where precision is crucial. Opt for more specific language or phrases that convey greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

Whatever it was functions as a clause used to acknowledge something without specifying exactly what it is. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It often serves as a way to move past a detail that is either unknown, unimportant, or forgotten.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Academia

8%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "whatever it was" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to acknowledge something without specifying it. It is appropriate in neutral to informal contexts like news articles and general conversation, but less suited for formal or academic writing where precision is key. According to Ludwig AI, it's used to move past a detail that is unknown or unimportant. The related phrases offer alternatives that adjust the level of formality or emphasis. Remember to use it thoughtfully, considering your audience and the context of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

whatever that was

Replaces "it" with "that", slightly emphasizing the unknown nature of the subject.

whatever that might have been

Adds a degree of speculation about the nature of the subject.

something or other

More informal, indicating a lack of specific knowledge or concern.

something of that kind

Suggests a general category or type without being specific.

some such thing

Implies the subject is unimportant or not worth specifying.

I don't know what

Directly expresses a lack of knowledge about the subject.

I can't recall what it was

Indicates a forgotten detail or event.

I've forgotten what it was

Emphasizes the speaker's inability to remember.

the thing, whatever it may be

Adds a formal tone, often used to acknowledge something undefined.

some unknown thing

Highlights the mysterious nature of the subject.

FAQs

How can I use "whatever it was" in a sentence?

You can use "whatever it was" to refer to something unspecified or forgotten, like in the sentence "I heard a noise, but "whatever it was", it's gone now".

What's a more formal way to say "whatever it was"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "the aforementioned event" or "the unspecified matter" to replace "whatever it was".

Is it okay to use "whatever it was" in academic writing?

Generally, no. Academic writing requires precision. Instead of "whatever it was", try to identify the subject or use a more descriptive term.

What are some alternatives to "whatever it was" that maintain a casual tone?

You could use alternatives such as "something or other", "I don't know what", or "some such thing" to keep a relaxed, informal feel.