she brushes back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she brushes back" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is moving hair away from their face or adjusting their appearance. Example: "As she walked into the room, she brushes back her hair to look more presentable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

She brushes back Andersson's hair.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She brushes back her long dark hair with her hand and motions to two nearby women unknown to her to also take off their tops.

Archives of Sexual Behavior

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

She brushed back her hair and stood up.

The New York Times

She brushed back her straight white hair and put on a head loupe: a high-powered magnifying lens, often used by jewelers, that is placed over the eyes.

The New York Times

She explained that a medical condition, a form of shingles, makes her forehead sensitive, so she constantly brushes back her hair.

The New York Times

As she continued past the prosecutors' table, she quickly moved the hand up to brush back her hair.

The New York Times

Her hair was brushed back elegantly, and she wore gold hoop earrings.

The New Yorker

Michelle Obama is the most popular figure in the administration, but last week she had her first brush with getting brushed back in the press.

The New York Times

With hands manicured with fuchsia nail polish, she tucked in one man's collar and brushed back the hair from another's eyes.

The New York Times - Food

She comes on strong, showing an arrogant, abrasive side, gets brushed back, and then repackages herself in a more appealing way.

The New York Times

She nicknamed Mr. Brodsky Napoleon, a tribute to his fiery attitude and how he dramatically brushed back his dark hair with his hand.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she brushes back" to describe a natural, often unconscious gesture of moving hair away from the face, typically to clear the view or adjust appearance.

Common error

Avoid using "she brushes back" repeatedly within a short span of text as it can become monotonous. Vary the action with other gestures or descriptive details to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she brushes back" functions primarily as a descriptive action, detailing a physical gesture. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, positioning it as a standard English expression. The examples available showcases how it is used to paint a picture of a character or person in action.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she brushes back" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the action of a female individual moving her hair away from her face. While Ludwig AI confirms it's a usable phrase, the frequency of its occurrence is relatively rare. It is used across various contexts, most commonly in news and media. The phrase serves a descriptive purpose, adding visual detail to narratives. When using this phrase, ensure it's not overused and consider alternatives to maintain reader engagement. The sources available on Ludwig, including The New York Times and Encyclopedia Britannica, contribute to a good source authority.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she brushes her hair away from her face

More descriptive, specifying the purpose of brushing.

she sweeps back her hair

Emphasizes a broader, more encompassing motion of moving hair.

she combs her hair back

Implies using a comb for a more deliberate and styled action.

she flicks her hair back

Suggests a quick, casual movement of the hair, often flirtatious.

she pushes back

Focuses on resisting or countering something, rather than a grooming action.

she styles her hair back

Indicates a deliberate act of arranging hair in a backward direction for aesthetic purposes.

she throws her hair back

Implies a forceful, dramatic gesture, often associated with defiance or liberation.

she retorts

Focuses on a sharp or witty reply, differing from a physical action related to hair.

she counters

Emphasizes a response or opposition, unlike a physical gesture.

she defends herself

Highlights protective action, contrasting with grooming.

FAQs

How can I use "she brushes back" in a sentence?

You can use "she brushes back" to describe someone moving their hair away from their face. For example, "As she considered the question, she brushes back a strand of hair from her eyes".

What are some alternatives to "she brushes back"?

Alternatives include "she sweeps back her hair", "she pushes back her hair", or "she combs back her hair", depending on the context and the specific action you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "she brushes back her hair" or "she brushes back"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "she brushes back her hair" is more explicit. "She brushes back" implies that the object being brushed back is understood to be her hair from context. "She brushes back her hair" provides more clarity.

What does it mean when someone "brushes back" their hair?

When someone "brushes back" their hair, it typically signifies a gesture of clearing their face, adjusting their appearance, or sometimes indicating thoughtfulness or nervousness. The exact meaning often depends on the context and accompanying body language.