she sighs

USAGE SUMMARY

It is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to express that someone sighed heavily or with a resigned air. For example: "She had been trying so hard, but the results had been unsatisfactory. Dejectedly, she sighed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

She sighs.

The New York Times

"Oh well," she sighs.

The New York Times - Arts

Marvin," she sighs.

The Guardian

Eyes closed, she sighs.

The New York Times

She sighs, slowly and evenly.

Independent

"So tired," she sighs.

The Guardian

She sighs again.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

She sighed.

The Washington Post

She sighed, exasperated.

The New York Times - Magazine

She sighed in approval.

The New Yorker

"For instance?" She sighed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she sighs" to subtly convey a character's emotional state, such as weariness, disappointment, or relief, without explicitly stating their feelings. This allows the reader to infer the emotion through the action.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "she sighs" as a substitute for describing a character's feelings directly. Vary your descriptions with other actions or internal thoughts to provide a richer and more nuanced portrayal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she sighs" primarily functions as a narrative device. It describes an action performed by a character, conveying their emotional state subtly. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage across different sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

93%

Formal & Business

3%

Science & Research

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she sighs" is a versatile phrase used to convey a range of emotions through a simple action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in narrative contexts within News & Media. While alternatives exist, such as "she exhales deeply" or "she lets out a sigh", the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Avoid overuse and remember to vary your descriptions for a richer portrayal. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "she sighs" to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she gives a weary sigh

Highlights the feeling of tiredness associated with the sigh.

she lets out a sigh

Highlights the act of releasing a sigh as a distinct action.

she says with a sigh

Links the sigh directly to spoken words, emphasizing the emotion behind them.

she sighs in relief

Indicates the sigh is a sign of being happy.

she exhales deeply

Emphasizes the depth and audibility of the sigh.

a sigh escapes her lips

A more poetic way of saying she sighs.

she breathes out heavily

Focuses on the physical action of releasing breath with force.

she expresses her frustration with a sigh

Adds context that she is frustrated when she sighs.

she murmurs resignedly

Indicates a quiet expression of resignation alongside the sigh.

she whispers with a sigh

Combines a sigh with a soft, spoken expression.

FAQs

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

You can use "she sighs" to indicate a character's emotional state. For example, "She sighs, contemplating the daunting task ahead," conveys weariness or resignation.

What are some alternatives to "she sighs"?

Alternatives include "she exhales deeply", "she lets out a sigh", or "she murmurs resignedly". You can find these and other options at "she exhales deeply", "she lets out a sigh", and "she murmurs resignedly".

What does it mean when someone "she sighs"?

When someone "she sighs", it typically indicates feelings of weariness, disappointment, relief, or resignation. The specific emotion depends on the context.

Is "she sighs" formal or informal?

"She sighs" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more frequently found in narrative writing than in formal reports.