she was crazy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was crazy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's mental state or behavior, often in a colloquial or informal context. Example: "Everyone thought she was crazy for wanting to travel alone around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

She was crazy.

The Washington Post

The judges didn't think she was crazy.

The New York Times

"I thought she was crazy," he said.

The New York Times

Her classmates told her she was crazy.

The New York Times

"I thought she was crazy," Kennedy remembers.

The New York Times

The men said she was crazy.

The New York Times

People told her she was crazy.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"She's crazy enough.

The New Yorker

She's crazy.

The New York Times

"He thinks she's crazy.

The New York Times

She's crazy about it.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "she was crazy", consider the context and audience, as it can sometimes be perceived as insensitive or stigmatizing. Choose alternative phrasing if you want to be more sensitive or precise.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on the phrase "she was crazy", especially in formal writing. Vary your language to provide a more nuanced and descriptive portrayal of the person's state or behavior.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was crazy" primarily functions as a descriptive statement, characterizing a subject's behavior or mental state. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used, as evidenced by the many examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "she was crazy" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone's behavior or mental state, though Ludwig AI notes its potential for insensitivity. With a very common usage frequency, it appears most frequently in news and media sources. While versatile, it's best to consider the context and audience before using this phrase. Alternatives like "she was insane" or "she was out of her mind" may be more appropriate depending on the situation. Overusing this phrase should be avoided in formal contexts in favor of more descriptive options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she was insane

This alternative implies a more severe form of mental instability than the original phrase.

she was out of her mind

This suggests a temporary loss of reason or control, similar in intensity but focusing on the mental state.

she was irrational

This alternative focuses on the lack of logical thought processes.

she was acting mad

This phrase indicates that her behavior suggested extreme excitement or enthusiasm.

she was acting wildly

This suggests uncontrolled or unrestrained behavior.

she was incredibly passionate

Implies she had a very strong enthusiasm about something.

she was extremely eccentric

This highlights unconventional or quirky behavior.

she was completely daft

Describes her as foolish or silly.

she was beyond reason

She was behaving in a way that defied logic or good sense.

she was not thinking straight

Indicates confusion or impaired judgment.

FAQs

What does "she was crazy" mean?

The phrase "she was crazy" generally means she was behaving irrationally, excitedly, or unconventionally. It can also imply that her actions were foolish or misguided.

What can I say instead of "she was crazy"?

You can use alternatives like "she was insane", "she was out of her mind", or "she was irrational", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it offensive to say "she was crazy"?

The phrase "she was crazy" can be perceived as offensive, especially when referring to mental health conditions. Consider using more sensitive and precise language to avoid causing offense or perpetuating stigma.

How can I use "she was crazy" in a sentence?

You can use "she was crazy" to describe someone's behavior or state of mind. For example, "Everyone thought "she was crazy" for wanting to travel alone around the world."