she reflected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she reflected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a moment of contemplation or thoughtfulness regarding a particular subject or experience. Example: "After the meeting, she reflected on the feedback she received and considered how to improve her presentation skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I wasn't scared," she reflected.

The New Yorker

"I think marriage is difficult," she reflected.

The New Yorker

"They were good guys," she reflected.

The New York Times - Arts

She reflected for a moment.

The New York Times

She reflected on her Blade trips: "You meet new friends.

The New Yorker

"It was a terrific magazine," she reflected later of Cosmo.

Independent

What she was doing, she reflected sometimes, was very small.

The Economist

Eyes glistening, she reflected on how far she had come.

The Guardian - Sport

"Many things like this happen to me," she reflected sadly.

The Guardian

She reflected who they were on the inside".

The Guardian

"If I want to talk about power, I need to use their language", she reflected.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she reflected" to introduce a character's internal thoughts or conclusions, providing insight into their perspective. This works best when preceding a direct quote representing the reflection.

Common error

Avoid using "she reflected" to describe external actions or observations. This phrase is specifically for internal thought processes and not for describing what someone sees or does. For example, instead of "She reflected the sunlight", use "The sunlight reflected off her glasses".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "she reflected" is to serve as a narrative device indicating a character's internal thought process. This often introduces a moment of contemplation or insight, as evidenced by the Ludwig AI examples where characters are shown pondering their past, present, or future.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she reflected" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a character's internal thoughts or contemplation. As Ludwig AI highlights, it commonly appears in News & Media and Academic writing. The phrase is considered grammatically correct and widely used, making it a valuable tool for writers seeking to provide insight into their characters' minds. Alternatives such as "she contemplated" or "she considered" can be used to add variety, but "she reflected" remains a clear and effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she contemplated

Focuses more on the act of deeply thinking about something.

she considered

Highlights the careful evaluation of different options or aspects.

she mused

Implies a quiet and thoughtful reflection, often aloud.

she pondered

Suggests a more serious and prolonged period of reflection.

she thought about

A simpler and more direct way of expressing reflection.

she deliberated

Emphasizes the weighing of different factors before making a decision.

she meditated on

Indicates a deeper, more spiritual form of reflection.

she dwelled on

Suggests a lingering focus on a particular thought or memory.

she gave thought to

Highlights the act of consciously directing one's thoughts towards something.

she turned over in her mind

Emphasizes the internal and cyclical nature of reflection.

FAQs

How can I use "she reflected" in a sentence?

Use "she reflected" to indicate a character's internal thoughts or contemplation. For example, "As she looked at the old photograph, "she reflected" on the memories it held".

What are some alternatives to "she reflected"?

You can use alternatives such as "she contemplated", "she considered", or "she mused" to convey a similar meaning of thoughtful consideration.

Is it always necessary to follow "she reflected" with a direct quote?

While it's common to follow "she reflected" with a direct quote representing the thought, it's not strictly necessary. You can also use it to introduce an indirect statement of her reflection, but using a direct quotation mark is by far the most diffused style.

What is the difference between "she reflected" and "she remembered"?

"She remembered" indicates recalling a past event, while "she reflected" implies a deeper consideration or analysis of something, which may or may not be related to a past event. Consider using "she recalled" or "she reminisced" as an alternative to "she remembered".