she was good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was good" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's positive qualities or performance in a specific context, such as a job, skill, or behavior. Example: "After the performance, everyone agreed that she was good, showcasing her talent and dedication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But she was good.

The New Yorker

She was good.

The New Yorker

She knew she was good.

Independent

She was good, of course.

Independent

She was good at it.

The New Yorker

Oh, she was good.

The New York Times

ROSS She was good enough.

The New York Times - Books

She was good at clever rhymes.

The New Yorker

She was good at something, though – singing.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Somehow, she persuaded us she was good-looking," Amanda said.

The New Yorker

"[She] was good the whole game," Perez said.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add more impact, follow the phrase with a preposition to clearly explain the subject. For example, "She was good at cooking", "She was good to her parents."

Common error

While "she was good" is perfectly acceptable, consider using more descriptive alternatives like "she excelled" or "she was proficient" in formal contexts to add nuance and sophistication to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was good" functions as a subject complement, where "she" is the subject, "was" is the linking verb, and "good" is the adjective that describes the subject. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "she was good" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to convey approval or positive assessment. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage in diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While appropriate for both informal and neutral settings, writers should consider more descriptive alternatives like "she excelled" or "she was competent" for formal writing to enhance clarity and impact. Remember to avoid overuse and clearly state the subject in formal compositions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she excelled

Replaces "was good" with a verb emphasizing outstanding performance.

she performed well

Focuses on the quality of her performance in a task or activity.

she was competent

Highlights her ability and skill in a particular area.

she was capable

Similar to competent, but emphasizes her potential and inherent ability.

she shone

Implies a remarkable and impressive performance.

she was adept

Highlights skillful and proficient execution.

she was proficient

Indicates a high degree of competence and mastery.

she was remarkable

Emphasizes the exceptional nature of her qualities or performance.

she impressed

Focuses on the positive impact she had on others.

she was outstanding

Indicates that she was notably better than others.

FAQs

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

You can use "she was good" to describe someone's positive qualities or performance. For example, "She was good at cheering people up", or "She was good to her parents".

What are some alternatives to "she was good"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "she excelled", "she performed well", or "she was competent".

Is "she was good" formal or informal?

"She was good" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more sophisticated alternatives may be preferred in highly formal writing.

What does it mean when someone says "she was good for this country"?

It implies that the person made a positive contribution or had a beneficial impact on the country. The specific nature of the contribution depends on the context.