she has form

USAGE SUMMARY

'She has form' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone has demonstrated a consistent or recognizable pattern of behavior. For example: "My mother has been managing the family business for over twenty years; she has form when it comes to financial responsibility."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

So she has form when it comes to U-turns.

The Guardian - Opinion

She has form for making mischief in interviews with contrary and provocative declarations.

The Guardian - Film

It's true that she has form: "Many of my novels," she has said, "whatever their theme, have a supernatural tinge.

The Guardian

She has form when it comes to Greek tragedy, having directed an often eye-watering Thyestes at London's Arcola theatre in 2009.

The Guardian

Weldon can be an erratic writer and she has form in terms of the subject matter: horrid men, barmy women, labels, sex, philosophy, the occult and female vicars.

The Guardian - Books

She has form with streaming companies: last autumn, she pulled her entire catalogue from Spotify in a protest against its royalty rate, and urged others to do the same.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Most recently she has formed her own literary agency.

The New Yorker

She has formed faux ice crystals from rubber.

The Washington Post

In addition she has formed Blossom Dearie Publishing & is in the process of forming Blossom Dearie Records.

The New Yorker

In "Silent Ballad" she has formed a folk triad of disappearance, memory, and love.

The New Yorker

So do the Muslim, Jewish and gentile Germans with whom she has formed a friendship group, called Salaam-Shalom.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she has form" to subtly indicate that someone's past behavior is a reliable predictor of their future actions.

Common error

Avoid using "she has form" after only one or two instances of a particular behavior, as it implies a consistent and established pattern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she has form" functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate that someone has a history or established pattern of behavior, suggesting predictability in their actions. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "she has form" is an idiomatic expression that implies someone has a predictable pattern of behavior based on past actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound phrase suitable for indicating that a person's history is indicative of their future conduct. Predominantly used in news and media, it maintains a neutral register. To enhance your writing, use this phrase when you want to subtly suggest that someone's past reliably foreshadows their future actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she has a history of

This alternative focuses on past actions forming a recognizable pattern.

she is known for

This highlights a reputation based on consistent actions.

she is prone to

This suggests a tendency or inclination toward specific behavior.

she tends to

This indicates a usual or habitual way of behaving.

she has a habit of

This emphasizes a recurring behavior, often without conscious intent.

she is inclined to

This suggests a natural disposition or leaning toward something.

she repeatedly demonstrates

This stresses consistent and observable actions.

she typically acts

This focuses on the usual manner of behavior.

she has a track record of

This highlights documented past achievements or behaviors.

she is wont to

This is an archaism emphasizing a habitual behavior.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "she has form"?

Saying "she has form" means that someone has a history of behaving in a particular way, making it possible to anticipate their future actions based on past behavior.

How can I use "she has form" in a sentence?

You can use "she has form" to imply that someone's previous actions make them likely to act in a certain way again. For example, "She has form when it comes to making U-turns."

What are some alternatives to saying "she has form"?

You can use alternatives like "she has a history of", "she is known for", or "she tends to" depending on the context.

Is "she has form" a formal or informal expression?

"She has form" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both news reporting and casual conversation.