she is indisposed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she is indisposed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is unable to attend to something due to illness or other reasons. Example: "I'm sorry, but she is indisposed and cannot take your call at the moment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The company will say only that she is "indisposed".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Concerns were raised after Smith missed three consecutive shows after the Baftas on Sunday night, with the Savoy theatre announcing that she was "indisposed".

The Guardian

I behaved quite normally that evening though at the end, when he asked if Minn would welcome a visit from Bubl, I replied smoothly that she was indisposed.

The Guardian

Other oddballs include a tottering redhead who seems to be waiting or looking for something; a spectral female in pale nightie who drifts about, echoing the gestures of others, as if trying to make sense of them (this was to have been Bausch herself, but she was indisposed on opening night).

Independent

Her subject, she says, is indisposed.

The New York Times - Books

"President Obama would have loved to see President Mandela, but he is indisposed," said Maite Nkoane Mashebane, South Africa's minister of international relations, according to Agence France-Presse.

The New York Times

For the same reason, Garrett knows he could be throwing passes if Collins is indisposed after being sacked once too often.

The New York Times - Sports

Not until she had passed away did he reveal, in The Oldie, how he fielded calls of commiseration to "Dove" Cooper from fellow comics such as Eric Morecambe, Michael Parkinson, Barry Cryer and Ronnie Barker, assuming a butler-like tone to tell them: "Mrs Cooper is indisposed".

The Guardian

And then you just tell everyone, "The PM is indisposed".

Vice

It might be an issue in Israel, where its militarized society is indisposed to try to understand the motives of those who don't serve.

Huffington Post

Only then did realisation dawn: she had been indisposed in the Royal Albert Hall, in front of a television audience of nearly 12m people, the biggest audience ITV has had on a Tuesday night for two years.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she is indisposed" when a polite, slightly formal way of saying someone is unavailable due to illness or a personal matter is needed. It's often used in professional or formal settings to avoid being too direct.

Common error

While "she is indisposed" is a valid phrase, avoid using it in casual conversations. In informal settings, simpler phrases like "she is not feeling well" or "she is unavailable" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she is indisposed" functions as a polite and somewhat formal way to indicate that a female person is currently unavailable, often due to illness or a personal matter. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "she is indisposed" is a grammatically correct and relatively formal way to indicate that a woman is temporarily unavailable, often due to illness or personal reasons. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, where a polite and professional tone is desired. While it's appropriate for formal settings, simpler alternatives are often preferable in casual conversations. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the context and audience to ensure the message is conveyed effectively and appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she is indisposed at the moment

Adds a temporal element, indicating current unavailability.

she is indisposed today

Specifies the day of unavailability.

she is unavailable

More direct and less formal.

she is not available

Similar to "she is unavailable" but slightly more emphatic.

she is temporarily unavailable

Highlights the temporary nature of her absence.

she is not feeling well

Focuses specifically on health as the reason for unavailability.

she is unwell

A simpler and more direct way to express illness.

she is under the weather

An idiomatic expression for feeling slightly ill.

she is out of sorts

Suggests a general feeling of discomfort or being slightly unwell.

she is taking some time off

Suggests a planned absence, not necessarily due to illness.

FAQs

What does "she is indisposed" mean?

The phrase "she is indisposed" means that she is temporarily unavailable or unable to attend to something, usually due to illness or a personal matter. It's a polite and somewhat formal way of expressing that someone is not available.

What can I say instead of "she is indisposed"?

You can use alternatives like "she is unavailable", "she is not feeling well", or "she is unwell" depending on the context.

Is "she is indisposed" formal or informal?

"She is indisposed" is considered a relatively formal way of saying someone is unavailable. In less formal settings, simpler phrases are more common.

How do I use "she is indisposed" in a sentence?

You can use "she is indisposed" when explaining someone's absence, for example: "I'm sorry, but she is indisposed and cannot attend the meeting today." It implies a temporary condition preventing her participation.