Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
which truly was
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "which truly was" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the authenticity or reality of a situation or statement. Example: "The event was a celebration of our achievements, which truly was a remarkable experience for everyone involved."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Formal & Business
Alternative expressions(3)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
It is likely that Arana et al. [18] essentially obtained the same result in their study, but because they did not manipulate hunger, they interpreted the difference as a main effect, which truly was masking an interaction.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
58 human-written examples
This might be a clichéd novel, but it's a good one, which truly are rare gems to find.
News & Media
Perhaps this "Chopin Treasury," which truly is a treasure, will build demand for Reisenberg's self-effacing and distinguished artistry.
News & Media
What voters should keep in mind is that, whichever Romney is real, whatever his true beliefs, a President Romney will have to reckon with his own party, which truly is "severely conservative".
News & Media
However, when this "primary account" of surface water supply dwindles during droughts, farms and communities rely heavily on a mystery account called groundwater, which truly is out of sight and, unfortunately, out of mind.
News & Media
Cardano rules out that "this life of ours can get close to that which truly is," for there is no proportion and no resemblance between the two levels of being.
Science
This isn't the case with the Beverly Canon Gardens, which truly is a public park.
News & Media
Which, truly, is an insight that should bring us much hope.
News & Media
In last week's column, I sang the praises of Bavarian beer gardens, which truly are a marvelous thing.
News & Media
And so the next day we got up and put on Dwight Yoakam and drove back roads into Eastern Kentucky, where we came mostly by accident, but which truly is the seat of powerlessness in the East.
News & Media
I am looking for a position such as the one listed here because it involves assisting and organizing for an executive, which truly is my forte.
Formal & Business
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "which truly was" to add emphasis to a preceding statement, confirming its authenticity or validity. This works best when the statement might be surprising or require extra assurance.
Common error
Avoid using "which truly was" in straightforward statements that don't require emphasis. It can sound unnatural or overly dramatic in simple contexts.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
3.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "which truly was" functions as a relative clause providing additional emphasis or confirmation to a preceding statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to underscore the genuine nature or validity of the information being presented.
Frequent in
News & Media
30%
Science
30%
Formal & Business
20%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
10%
Wiki
5%
Academia
5%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "which truly was" is a grammatically correct relative clause used to emphasize the authenticity of a previous statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for adding a sense of validation or reinforcement. While its frequency is rare, it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and formal communication. When writing, remember that "which truly was" is most effective when you want to highlight the genuine nature of something, but avoid overuse to maintain a natural tone. Consider alternatives like "that genuinely was" or "which actually was" to vary your language. The single exact example shows the phrase used to mask an interaction.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
that genuinely was
Replaces "truly" with "genuinely" to emphasize authenticity.
that really was
Substitutes "truly" with "really" for a more informal tone.
which actually was
Replaces "truly" with "actually" to highlight the factual nature.
what genuinely was
Changes "which" to "what" while retaining the emphasis on authenticity.
that undeniably was
Uses "undeniably" to strengthen the affirmation.
that undoubtedly was
Substitutes "truly" with "undoubtedly" to express certainty.
it certainly was
Rephrases to shift the focus and affirm with "certainly".
it definitely was
Rephrases to shift the focus and affirm with "definitely".
what in fact was
Uses "in fact" to emphasize the truth of the statement.
it empirically was
Rephrases to highlight evidence-based affirmation
FAQs
How can I use "which truly was" in a sentence?
Use "which truly was" to emphasize the genuine nature of a prior statement or situation. For example: "The experience was transformative, "which truly was" a turning point in my life."
What are some alternatives to "which truly was"?
Alternatives include phrases like "that genuinely was", "that really was", or "which actually was" depending on the context and desired level of formality.
Is it better to say "which truly was" or "that truly was"?
Both "which truly was" and "that truly was" are grammatically correct, but "which" is generally used for nonrestrictive clauses, adding extra information, whereas "that" is used for restrictive clauses, essential to the sentence's meaning.
What's the difference between "which truly was" and "which seemed to be"?
"Which truly was" asserts the genuine nature of something, while "which seemed to be" suggests an appearance that may or may not be accurate. The former confirms reality; the latter implies perception or uncertainty.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
3.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested