she was disturbed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was disturbed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of emotional unrest or discomfort experienced by a person. Example: "After hearing the news, she was disturbed and needed some time to process her feelings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She said she was disturbed that her tape was confiscated.

The New York Times

She was disturbed by the sight of them out among the merchandise.

The New Yorker

But she was disturbed by the withdrawal of the other representations of Muhammad.

The New York Times - Books

Like many Holocaust survivors, she was disturbed by family separations, no matter how brief.

The New York Times - Books

She was disturbed by the violence and felt sympathy for the fish.

The New York Times - Sports

She was "disturbed" when Brody got "really upset", to the point of choosing not to watch.

The Guardian

We saw this happen to a girl one day last week and she was disturbed.

The New Yorker

When they arrived, she was disturbed to find that they had tags attatched to them reading.

The New Yorker

She was disturbed by the American healthcare system, which paled in comparison to her native Singapore's government-supervised version.

Columbia University

The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks happened, and she was disturbed by the way Muslims were negatively portrayed.

The New York Times

Dr. Gopnik said she was disturbed by "the idea of doing this in preschoolers, where the medical evidence isn't there".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "she was disturbed", ensure the context clearly indicates the cause of her emotional unrest to provide a complete understanding for the reader. For instance, specify what event, news, or situation caused the disturbance.

Common error

Avoid using "she was disturbed" repeatedly in close proximity, as it can make your writing sound monotonous. Vary your sentence structure and use active voice where possible to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was disturbed" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating a state of emotional or mental disquiet experienced by a female subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common and grammatically correct construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

11%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she was disturbed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a woman experiencing emotional unease. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is applicable in diverse contexts, as shown by the numerous examples found in news, academic texts, and other sources. While the phrase itself carries a neutral tone, it's important to provide sufficient context to clarify the cause and intensity of the disturbance. Consider alternatives like "she felt troubled" or "she was unsettled" for nuanced expression, and avoid overusing the passive voice to keep your writing engaging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she felt troubled

Focuses on the feeling of being bothered or worried, often implying a milder reaction than "disturbed".

she was unsettled

Suggests a lack of peace or comfort, highlighting the disruption to her composure.

she was bothered

Indicates a state of being annoyed or slightly worried, a less intense version of being "disturbed".

she was concerned

Implies a worry or anxiety about something specific, shifting the focus to the object of her worry.

she was alarmed

Conveys a sense of sudden fear or shock, emphasizing the abruptness of her reaction.

she was agitated

Suggests a state of restlessness and anxiety, focusing on her outward behavior.

she was perturbed

Indicates a slight disturbance or annoyance, often used in more formal contexts.

she was disquieted

Emphasizes a loss of inner peace, suggesting a deep unease.

she was dismayed

Highlights a feeling of disappointment and discouragement, often caused by something unexpected.

she was horrified

Conveys a strong feeling of shock and disgust, indicating a more extreme reaction than "disturbed".

FAQs

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

You can use "she was disturbed" to describe a state of emotional unrest or discomfort. For example, "After hearing the news, she was disturbed and needed some time to process her feelings." You can also use alternatives like "she felt troubled" or "she was unsettled".

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "she was concerned", "she was alarmed", or "she was bothered" to convey a similar meaning.

What's the difference between "she was disturbed" and "she was alarmed"?

"She was disturbed" generally implies a sense of unease or discomfort, while ""she was alarmed"" suggests a sudden feeling of fear or shock. The choice depends on the intensity and nature of the emotional reaction you want to convey.

Is it better to say "she felt disturbed" or "she was disturbed"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. "She felt disturbed" may slightly emphasize the subjective experience of the feeling, but "she was disturbed" is more concise and commonly used.