he was withdrawn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was withdrawn" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is emotionally distant or not engaging with others, often in a social context. Example: "After the incident, he was withdrawn and rarely spoke to anyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was withdrawn.

The New York Times

He was withdrawn in the 55th minute.

The Guardian - Sport

He was withdrawn from the play.

The Guardian

He was withdrawn, uptight and often angry.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

(He was withdrawn soon after the offending cable was leaked).

The Economist

Despite Tarn's adventurousness at home, he was withdrawn at school.

The New York Times - Magazine

He was withdrawn, and continued to refuse physical therapy.

The New Yorker

He was withdrawn from frontline duties, but the deterioration continued.

The Guardian

In between flashes of anger, he was withdrawn and disconnected.

The Guardian

A moment later he was withdrawn, replaced by Ibrahim Affelay.

The Guardian - Sport

He was withdrawn from veterinary treatment nine days before [racing].

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "he was withdrawn", provide context about the situation or event that led to this change in behavior. This adds depth and credibility to your description.

Common error

Avoid using "he was withdrawn" as a generic description without providing specific examples of the person's behavior. Instead, illustrate their withdrawal with concrete details, such as avoiding eye contact or declining social invitations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was withdrawn" functions primarily as a descriptive statement, attributing a state of emotional or social detachment to a male subject. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was withdrawn" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe someone's state of emotional or social detachment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's versatile, appearing in various contexts from news reports to scientific articles. While alternatives like "he became distant" or "he became isolated" exist, "he was withdrawn" remains a common and effective way to convey this specific condition. When using this phrase, it's best to provide specific examples of the behavior to enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he became distant

Emphasizes emotional or relational separation.

he retreated into himself

Suggests a turning inward, often due to emotional distress.

he became detached

Highlights a lack of emotional connection or involvement.

he became unresponsive

Highlights a lack of reaction or communication.

he became isolated

Focuses on the physical or emotional separation from others.

he was removed

Indicates a formal or physical removal from a context or situation.

he secluded himself

Emphasizes the act of deliberately seeking solitude.

he was taken out of

Highlights the act of being extracted from a situation or activity.

he was pulled back

Suggests a reluctant or forced removal.

he lost interest

Highlights the disappearance of enthusiasm or concern.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "he was withdrawn"?

Saying "he was withdrawn" means the person became emotionally distant, less communicative, or less engaged with others. This can be a reaction to stress, trauma, or other underlying issues.

What are some alternative ways to say "he was withdrawn"?

You can use alternatives like "he became isolated", "he became detached", or "he became distant" depending on the context.

How can I use "he was withdrawn" in a sentence?

You can use "he was withdrawn" to describe a change in someone's behavior, such as, "After the accident, he was withdrawn and rarely spoke to anyone."

What's the difference between "he was withdrawn" and "he was depressed"?

"He was withdrawn" describes a behavior of becoming distant and less communicative, while depression is a clinical diagnosis involving a range of symptoms including persistent sadness, loss of interest, and changes in sleep or appetite. While someone who is depressed may also be withdrawn, withdrawal alone doesn't necessarily indicate depression.