a widow was left

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a widow was left" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing loss, particularly when referring to a woman whose spouse has died. Example: "After the tragic accident, a widow was left to raise their children alone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In Santo Domingo, a widow was left with three children.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

One 64-year-old widow was left to pay a £24,000 bank loan following her husband's death.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

His widow was left to confront all the myths and all the insulations that her marriage, her class, and her sex had imposed on her.

The New Yorker

So his widow was left to discover the picture of the "gangster moll" that he lifted from the wallet he returned early in the season in a subplot that went nowhere.

Huffington Post

Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974) - Alice Ellen Burstynn), a recent widow, is left to make a new life for herself and her young son, with no prospects and precious little money.

Huffington Post

Typically, a grieving widow is left to pick up the pieces and make sense of the tragedy.

Huffington Post

The widow or widower is left behind with a broken heart and countless loving memories.

Huffington Post

Men went to fight, and women, who soon became widows, were left behind while the state became obsessed with motherhood, from conception to birth.

The Guardian

Many orphans, half-orphans and widows are left behind by the genocide, and more recently by AIDS-related deaths.

BMC Psychiatry

On the other hand, participants also reported that when widows were left with land following the death of their husband, this could lead to increased food security and help to alleviate the need to engage in sexual relationships for food and other goods.

AIDS and Behavior

He recently met with a 39 year-old widow who was left with three children under the age of seven.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a widow was left", consider the emotional impact and ensure the context is sensitive to the individual's experience. Provide support or resources if relevant.

Common error

Avoid excessive passive voice; sometimes, active voice makes the sentence stronger and more direct. For instance, instead of "a widow was left", consider "the tragedy widowed her."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a widow was left" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically used to introduce a situation or state of being. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable, setting the stage for discussing the circumstances a woman faces after the death of her spouse.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a widow was left" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a woman's status after her husband's death. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and appears frequently in news, media, scientific, and encyclopedia sources. While direct, it often carries an implication of abandonment or challenges faced by the woman. Related phrases such as "she became a widow" and "she was widowed" offer alternative ways to express the same concept, each with slightly different connotations. When using this phrase, sensitivity to the emotional context is important.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the death of her husband left her a widow

Clearly indicates that the husband's death is the direct cause of her becoming a widow.

she became a widow

Simplifies the original phrase, focusing on the state of becoming a widow.

she was widowed and now remained

Focuses on the consequence of becoming a widow and remaining in that state.

a spouse died leaving behind a widow

Focuses on the consequence of death and the widow's situation.

a bereaved woman remained

Focuses on the emotional aspect of bereavement.

a spouse passed away leaving a widow

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the passing of the spouse as the cause of the widow's condition.

she found herself a widow

Highlights the unexpected or sudden nature of becoming a widow.

a woman was widowed and abandoned

Emphasizes both the loss of a spouse and a sense of abandonment.

bereft of her husband, she was now a widow

Emphasizes the sense of loss and then identifies the resulting state.

a widow remained in her place

Focuses on the widow staying in her previous location or social standing.

FAQs

What does it mean when the phrase "a widow was left" is used?

The phrase "a widow was left" describes the situation where a woman's husband has died, and she is now in the state of being a widow. It often implies that she is left to cope with the aftermath of the loss, possibly including practical and emotional challenges.

What are some alternatives to saying "a widow was left"?

Alternatives include phrases like "she became a widow", "she was widowed", or "her husband died leaving her a widow". The best choice depends on the specific context and emphasis you wish to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "she is a widow" or "she was left a widow"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "she is a widow" is a more direct and neutral statement of fact. "She was left a widow" implies a sense of being abandoned or facing challenges as a result of her husband's death.

Can the phrase "a widow was left" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, the phrase "a widow was left" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal settings might prefer more direct phrasing such as "she is a widow" or "she became a widow."