she was divorced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was divorced" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone's marital status, specifically indicating that they have legally ended a marriage. Example: "After years of marriage, she was divorced and ready to start a new chapter in her life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She was divorced.

The New Yorker

He learned she was divorced.

The New Yorker

In 1952 she was divorced.

The New Yorker

He was widowed and she was divorced.

The New York Times

At the time she was divorced.

The New York Times

She was divorced in February 1890.

Britannica

By 1996 she was divorced again.

The New York Times

A year later, she was divorced.

The New York Times

She was divorced in the 1970's.

The New York Times

She was divorced and had two daughters, Polly and Alice.

The New Yorker

By age 18, she was divorced and raising a child.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more descriptive alternatives if you want to emphasize specific aspects of the divorce, such as the reason for it or its impact on her life.

Common error

Avoid using "she was divorced" when "she is divorced" is more appropriate. "She was divorced" refers to a past state, while "she is divorced" describes her current marital status.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was divorced" primarily functions as a declarative statement indicating a past marital status. It specifies that a female subject's marriage has been legally terminated. Ludwig's examples showcase it used across various contexts to provide background information or explain someone's current circumstances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "she was divorced" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a woman's past marital status. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and suggests alternatives like "her marriage ended" or "she had a divorce". Primarily found in news and media, the phrase serves to provide context or biographical information in a clear and neutral manner. When using the phrase, ensure you are accurately reflecting the timing of the divorce and consider whether "she is divorced" might be more appropriate to describe her current status.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

her marriage ended

Focuses on the end of the marriage rather than her status.

she had a divorce

Similar, but emphasizes the action of obtaining a divorce.

she went through a divorce

Emphasizes the process of divorce.

she separated from her husband

Focuses on separation, which may or may not lead to divorce.

she is a divorcee

More formal and emphasizes her current status.

she obtained a divorce

Highlights her active role in the divorce process.

she dissolved her marriage

A more formal way of saying the marriage ended.

she finalized her divorce

Emphasizes the completion of the divorce proceedings.

she became single again

Focuses on her transition back to being unmarried.

she is no longer married

States the fact of her being unmarried directly.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "she was divorced"?

The phrase "she was divorced" indicates that a woman's previous marriage has been legally terminated. It refers to a past state of being married that has since ended.

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

You can use alternatives like "her marriage ended", "she had a divorce", or "she is a divorcee" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use the phrase "she was divorced" in formal writing?

Yes, the phrase "she was divorced" is generally appropriate in formal writing as long as it is relevant to the context and not used in a way that is insensitive or disrespectful. A more formal option could be to say "she dissolved her marriage".

What's the difference between "she was divorced" and "she is divorced"?

"She was divorced" implies that the divorce occurred at some point in the past, while "she is divorced" describes her current marital status. Using "she was divorced" might be more appropriate when discussing a specific event or time period, whereas "she is divorced" is a general statement of her present situation.