her prose was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "her prose was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the quality or style of someone's writing, particularly in a literary context. Example: "Her prose was elegant and evocative, capturing the essence of the characters' emotions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Her prose was wooden.

The New Yorker

Her prose was purple and simplistic, if not trashy.

The New Yorker

Her prose was literate and sonorous, and she wrote with what sounded like an arched eyebrow — perfect for the skeptically wise young person who was her ideal reader.

The New York Times - Books

Her prose was as impeccable and structurally balanced as her speech; indeed, so close to it that I doubt examination of her manuscripts would show much rewriting.

The Guardian - Books

She would go off on these fantastic riffs when she wrote, and her prose was elastic enough to adapt to all her different emotions and opinions.

The New York Times

Ms. Politkovskaya — she was the mother of two, dead at 48 — wrote sentences that fit her subject: her prose was mostly hard and balefully direct, wormy with unpleasant truths.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The tonal experiments of her prose were influenced by Cézanne, and hers was a world of intense colour.

Independent

Her prose is brisk, yet richly detailed.

The New York Times - Books

Her prose is without fireworks.

The Guardian - Books

Her prose is actually very good".

The New York Times - Style

Her prose is unfussy and clean.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use descriptive adjectives to provide specific qualities of the prose, such as "her prose was lyrical", "her prose was concise", or "her prose was evocative".

Common error

Avoid using generic adjectives like "good" or "nice" to describe the prose. Instead, opt for more specific and descriptive words that convey the unique characteristics of the writing, such as "vivid", "elegant", or "powerful".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "her prose was" functions as a descriptive statement. It introduces a subjective evaluation of someone's writing style or quality. Ludwig AI shows the phrase frequently followed by adjectives denoting specific characteristics like "impeccable", "elastic", or "tough".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "her prose was" serves as a launchpad for describing a writer's style, finding its home predominantly in news and media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and functions as a descriptive statement, allowing for a nuanced evaluation of writing quality. While alternatives like "her writing style was" offer similar meanings, "her prose was" specifically highlights the writer's command of language in its ordinary form. Therefore, when aiming to articulate the specifics of someone's writing, employing descriptive adjectives after the phrase can greatly enhance clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

her writing style was

Replaces "prose" with the more general term "writing style".

the quality of her writing was

Emphasizes the overall quality of her written work.

her use of language was

Highlights the specific aspect of language usage in her writing.

the tone of her writing was

Emphasizes the emotional coloring and attitude conveyed in her writing.

she wrote with

Shifts the focus to the act of writing and the qualities associated with it.

her narrative style was

Focuses specifically on the way she tells stories.

her expression was

Focuses on the way she conveys thoughts and ideas in writing.

her authorial voice was

Highlights the persona and perspective evident in her writing.

her literary voice was

Highlights the unique and distinct character of her writing.

she had a way with words

This is an idiomatic expression indicating skill and eloquence in writing.

FAQs

How can I describe someone's writing style instead of saying "her prose was"?

You can use alternatives like "her "writing style was"", "she wrote with", or "her "use of language was"", depending on the aspect you want to emphasize.

What are some adjectives to describe prose?

Adjectives to describe prose include "lyrical", "concise", "evocative", "vivid", "elegant", and "powerful", among many others. The best choice depends on the specific qualities of the writing you're describing.

Is it correct to say "her prose are" instead of "her prose was"?

No, it is not correct. "Prose" is a singular noun, so it requires a singular verb. The correct phrase is "her prose was."

What's the difference between saying "her prose was elegant" and "her writing was elegant"?

The difference is subtle. "Prose" refers specifically to written or spoken language in its ordinary form, without metrical structure. "Writing" is a more general term. Saying "her prose was elegant" specifically highlights the elegance of her writing style, while "her writing was elegant" is a broader statement about her overall writing quality.