as she called it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as she called it" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to refer to a term or phrase that someone has specifically named or labeled in their own words. Example: "The project was a disaster, or as she called it, a 'learning experience.'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Of his puritanism, as she called it.

The Guardian - Books

Then came "the magic powder," as she called it.

The New York Times

Her relationship with her joint, as she called it, was co-dependent.

The New York Times

In fact, it was the framing for a freestanding bathroom, or "pod," as she called it.

The New York Times

"Armor D'Amour," as she called it, is a collection for the embattled.

The New Yorker

I remember the time I first caught Mum in some preposterous untruth, as she called it.

The New York Times - Magazine

She would do this bop, as she called it, around the stage.

The New Yorker

"The Keffiyeh Kerfuffle," as she called it, might warrant a boycott.

The New York Times

She used to tell me to stop playing that talking music, as she called it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Genre-specific programming," as she called it, meaning a series of piano recitals or voice recitals, is being phased out.

The New York Times - Arts

Still, not a day goes by when she does not think back to "my best time," as she called it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using a more precise alternative, such as "as she termed it" or "as she defined it", depending on the context, to convey the specific nuance of her naming.

Common error

Avoid overusing "as she called it" within a single piece of writing; vary your language by using alternatives like "as she put it", or rephrase the sentence to avoid the need for the phrase altogether. Focus on alternatives like "in her words".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as she called it" serves as an introductory phrase to attribute a specific term or label to a particular person. It highlights that the following words are not a standard or universally accepted term, but rather the individual's own way of naming or describing something. Ludwig confirms the correctness of this construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as she called it" is a versatile phrase that introduces a term or label attributed to a specific individual. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While it serves to emphasize the personal or unique nature of a term, alternative phrasings might be more appropriate in formal settings. Remember that overuse should be avoided and, when it comes to academic writing, a more neutral phrasing could sound more effective. When employed judiciously, "as she called it" enhances the writer's style making it more vivid and descriptive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as she termed it

Replaces "called" with "termed", indicating a more formal or precise naming.

as she referred to it

Uses "referred" instead of "called", suggesting a broader reference rather than a specific naming.

as she put it

Replaces "called" with "put", which is slightly more informal.

in her words

Focuses on the fact that the following expression is directly from her vocabulary.

the way she phrased it

Emphasizes the specific wording she used.

to use her expression

Highlights that a specific expression is peculiar or unique to her.

as she designated it

Replaces "called" with "designated", implying a formal assignment of a name or title.

in her terminology

Implies a system or set of terms specific to her.

by her definition

Suggests she provided a unique or specific definition for the term.

under her nomenclature

Indicates a specific system of naming things used by her.

FAQs

How can I use "as she called it" in a sentence?

Use "as she called it" to introduce a term someone used, highlighting its personal or unique nature. For example: "Her organizational method, "as she called it", 'structured chaos', was surprisingly effective."

What's a more formal way to say "as she called it"?

For a more formal tone, use alternatives such as "as she termed it" or "as she designated it". These options imply a more deliberate or official naming.

Is it okay to use "as she called it" in academic writing?

While acceptable, consider the context. If the term is significant to the analysis, including the person's specific phrasing using "as she called it" can be useful. Otherwise, a more neutral phrasing may be better. Alternatively, consider something like "in her terminology".

What's the difference between "as she called it" and "as she put it"?

"As she called it" refers specifically to a name or label given to something. "As she put it" refers to the way she phrased something, not necessarily a name, which means it is a more appropriate sentence with "as she put it" if she's not providing a name.