how was she

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how was she" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when inquiring about someone's well-being or state, typically after an event or situation involving that person. Example: "After the meeting, I wanted to know how she was doing, so I asked her colleagues for an update."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

How was she feeling?

The New York Times

How was she feeling today?

The New Yorker

How was she portrayed?

The New York Times

How was she sleeping?

The New York Times - Magazine

How was she conceived?

The New York Times

How was she seen?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

How was she to know?

The New York Times - Sports

And how was she before it all?

The Guardian

Poor Ellen Smith, how was she found?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

How is she responding?

The New York Times - Magazine

EM: How is she?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When inquiring about someone's well-being after a specific event, use "how was she" followed by a relevant detail to provide context (e.g., "How was she after the surgery?").

Common error

Avoid using "how was she" without providing sufficient context. Ensure the person you are speaking to understands who 'she' refers to and the situation you are inquiring about. Otherwise, the question can be confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how was she" functions as an interrogative clause, specifically a question. It seeks information about the condition, state, or well-being of a female individual. Ludwig examples show this phrase in various contexts like inquiring about someone's health or experience.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "how was she" is a grammatically correct and very common way to inquire about a female individual's condition or well-being. As evidenced by Ludwig, it appears most frequently in News & Media contexts. While generally neutral in register, its specific meaning is highly dependent on context, and Ludwig AI confirms its standard usage. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about who 'she' refers to and the situation being inquired about. Alternatives like "what was her condition" or "how did she feel" may be more precise depending on the specific information you seek.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how did she feel

Directly asks about her emotional or physical sensations.

how did she react

Focuses on her response to a specific event or situation.

what was her condition

Focuses specifically on the state of her health or well-being.

how did she fare

Asks about her success or progress in a particular situation.

what were her emotions

Specifically inquires about her feelings or sentiments.

how was her state

Inquires about her general condition or situation.

what was her experience

Focuses on the events or circumstances she encountered.

what was her impression

Inquires about the effect something had on her.

what were her thoughts

Specifically seeks her opinions or reflections.

what was her perspective

Asks about her viewpoint or understanding of something.

FAQs

How can I use "how was she" in a sentence?

You can use "how was she" to inquire about someone's well-being or state after an event or situation. For example: "After the meeting, I wanted to know how she was, so I asked her colleagues for an update."

What can I say instead of "how was she"?

You can use alternatives like "what was her condition", "how did she feel", or "how did she fare" depending on the specific context.

Is "how was she" grammatically correct?

Yes, "how was she" is grammatically correct. It's a common and acceptable way to form a question in English when inquiring about someone's well-being or state.

When is it appropriate to use "how was she"?

It's appropriate to use "how was she" when you want to know about a female individual's condition, feelings, or experience, particularly after an event or situation that might have affected her.