she was indisposed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was indisposed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is unwell or unable to attend to something, often in a polite or formal context. Example: "Unfortunately, she was indisposed and could not attend the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Concerns were raised after Smith missed three consecutive shows after the Baftas on Sunday night, with the Savoy theatre announcing that she was "indisposed".

The Guardian

I behaved quite normally that evening though at the end, when he asked if Minn would welcome a visit from Bubl, I replied smoothly that she was indisposed.

The Guardian

Other oddballs include a tottering redhead who seems to be waiting or looking for something; a spectral female in pale nightie who drifts about, echoing the gestures of others, as if trying to make sense of them (this was to have been Bausch herself, but she was indisposed on opening night).

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The company will say only that she is "indisposed".

The New York Times

A minute ago, he'd knocked on the door and been told that Sweet Petunia was indisposed — she was still digesting her breakfast, her son David said.

The New Yorker

The devil, on that afternoon, was indisposed.

The Guardian

Maid announced mistress was indisposed, having executive ability.

The New Yorker

As Gualtiero, Francisco Almanza, a young tenor, was a late substitute for Bruce Fowler, who was indisposed.

The New York Times - Arts

Bausch was billed to perform in Café Müller, but in the event was indisposed.

The Guardian

Van Helsing was indisposed and the understudy read from a script, which he kept dropping.

The Guardian

Full disclosure: I chaired the lecture, stepping in at the last moment because the original chair, Steve Hewlett, was indisposed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she was indisposed" in formal contexts when you want to politely indicate someone is unavailable due to illness or another reason without being too specific.

Common error

Avoid using "she was indisposed" in informal conversations. Simpler phrases like "she's not feeling well" or "she's unavailable" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was indisposed" functions as a polite and formal way to explain someone's absence or inability to participate due to illness or other reasons. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in news and media, as also confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she was indisposed" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves as a formal and polite way to indicate someone's unavailability, often due to illness or unspecified reasons. While primarily used in news and media contexts, it's important to consider the audience and choose a more appropriate, less formal phrase for casual settings. Ludwig's examples highlight the phrase's usage in reputable sources, showcasing its role in conveying information with a degree of formality and discretion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she was unavailable

Replaces "indisposed" with a more general term for unavailability.

she was unwell

Offers a simpler synonym focusing on health.

she was not feeling well

Similar to "unwell" but emphasizes the subjective experience.

she was under the weather

An idiom suggesting a mild illness.

she was out of sorts

Indicates a general feeling of discomfort or being slightly ill.

she was incapacitated

Suggests a more significant inability to function.

she was unable to attend

Focuses specifically on the inability to be present.

she had taken ill

Emphasizes the sudden onset of illness.

she was recuperating

Suggests recovery from an illness or exertion.

she was off duty

Indicates unavailability due to being off work.

FAQs

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

You can use "she was indisposed" to politely explain someone's absence or inability to perform a task due to illness or other reasons. For example, "She was indisposed and unable to attend the meeting".

What's a less formal alternative to "she was indisposed"?

Less formal alternatives include "she was unwell", "she was unavailable", or "she was not feeling well" depending on the context.

Is "she was indisposed" appropriate for all audiences?

While grammatically correct, "she was indisposed" is quite formal and may sound stilted in casual conversation. Consider your audience and choose a more appropriate phrase if needed.

What's the difference between "she was indisposed" and "she was incapacitated"?

"She was indisposed" suggests a temporary and often minor condition. "She was incapacitated" implies a more serious and potentially long-term inability to function.