where it was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "where it was" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to the location of something, either in the past or in the present. For example: "I remember the house where it was".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's where it was.

Stanford University

It went where it was treated well.

The New York Times

That's where it was all right.

The New Yorker

"Dat's where it was, all right".

The New Yorker

He knew where it was going.

The New York Times - Sports

She asked me where it was.

The New Yorker

"He knew right where it was".

The New York Times

No one knew where it was.

The New Yorker

We asked the clerk where it was.

The New Yorker

"I told him where it was".

The New York Times

He left his money where it was.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "where it was" to emphasize a change or a memory of a past location, contrasting it with the current state. For example, “His home… it's really just overgrown vegetation now. That's "where it was"”.

Common error

Avoid using "where it was" when referring to a current, unchanging location. It implies a past state or a change, so using it for something still present can be confusing. For example, instead of saying "The book is where it was yesterday", simply say "The book is still there."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "where it was" functions primarily as an adverbial clause of place, specifying a location, often in reference to a past state or condition. As supported by Ludwig, it indicates a setting or position that existed at some point in the past.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Science

14%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "where it was" serves as an adverbial clause, primarily indicating a location that existed in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, it's essential to ensure the context clearly establishes the referent of "it" to prevent ambiguity. Common errors include misusing the phrase to refer to current locations. Ludwig examples highlight the versatility of "where it was" in narratives, memories, and descriptive contexts, making it a valuable tool for specifying past locations in writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the place where it used to be

This alternative specifies the concept of past existence more explicitly by using 'used to be'.

where it had been situated

This version emphasizes the past positioning of something with more formality.

the location of it

This version replaces "where" with "location of", offering a more direct specification of place.

the site it once stood on

This alternative is particularly useful when referring to buildings or structures that no longer exist.

the spot it occupied

This alternative uses 'spot' instead of 'place' and 'occupied' to express a less common but similar idea of location.

its original location

This phrase highlights the initial or starting position of something.

the area it previously inhabited

Using 'area' and 'inhabited' gives a more spatial and potentially larger-scale sense of location, suitable when referring to regions or spaces.

the place of its origin

This emphasizes the place something started or came from.

its former position

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the change in location over time.

the setting for it

This alternative frames the location as a backdrop or environment.

FAQs

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

Use "where it was" to refer to a past location or a place that has changed. For example, "That's "where it was" before the fire" indicates a past state of a location.

What's a simple alternative to "where it was"?

A simpler alternative is "the original location". This can be used to describe a place's former spot. For example: "That's the original location."

Is it correct to use "where it was at" instead of "where it was"?

While some might use "where it was at" informally, it's generally considered less formal and sometimes grammatically redundant. Sticking to ""where it was"" is usually safer for formal writing.

How does the meaning change if I say "where it is" instead of "where it was"?

Using "where it is" refers to the current location, while ""where it was"" refers to a past location. The tense shift changes the reference point from present to past.