she was off

USAGE SUMMARY

"she was off" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to imply that a person has left, is absent, or has been dismissed. For example: "John had arrived late to work and as a result, his boss told him that he was off for the rest of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

With that, she was off.

The New York Times

Then she was off.

The New York Times

She was off to the races.

The New York Times

"She was off balance all the time".

The New York Times - Sports

She was off to Greece.

The New York Times - Arts

She was off by a tad.

The New York Times

She was off by only eight hours.

The New York Times - Style

But soon she was off again.

The Guardian - Travel

— when she was off; a deliveryman had appeared.

The New Yorker

One Pixie declared she was off to the Maldives.

Independent

And then she was off to another bus hijacking.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the nuance you want to convey. "She was off" can imply a quick or sudden departure, while "she had left" might suggest a more planned or permanent absence.

Common error

Avoid using "she was off" when a more formal expression is required. In academic or professional writing, phrases like "she had departed" or "she was absent" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was off" primarily functions as a declarative statement, indicating either a departure, absence, or a state of being incorrect. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "she was off" is a versatile expression with several possible meanings, primarily indicating departure, absence, or a state of being incorrect. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in news and media contexts. While generally considered neutral, it's essential to be mindful of the context and choose more formal alternatives like "she had departed" or "she was incorrect" in academic or professional settings. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "she was off" while avoiding potential misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she had left

A simpler, more direct way of saying someone has gone.

she had departed

Replaces the idiomatic "off" with a more formal verb, "departed", to convey the action of leaving.

she had gone away

Emphasizes the action of leaving and being at a distance.

she was absent

Focuses on the state of being away, rather than the action of leaving.

she wasn't present

Focuses on the lack of presence, whether physically or mentally.

she was incorrect

A more formal synonym for "mistaken", also referring to inaccuracy.

she was mistaken

Indicates an error or misjudgment, shifting the meaning from physical absence to intellectual inaccuracy.

she was out of place

Suggests something is not in its proper position or is inappropriate.

she was out of order

More direct way of saying someone is out of place.

she was not working

Implies a state of being non-functional or broken, in reference to a device or system.

FAQs

What does "she was off" mean?

The phrase "she was off" can have multiple meanings depending on the context. It can mean she departed or left, as in "She was off to the store". It can also mean she was incorrect, as in "She was off in her calculations". It might also mean that she had time away from something, as in "She was off work".

What are some alternative ways to say "she was off" when referring to someone leaving?

When "she was off" indicates someone leaving, you can use alternatives like "she had left", "she departed", or "she went" depending on the formality and specific nuance you want to convey.

When can "she was off" be used to indicate being incorrect?

You can use "she was off" to mean someone was wrong or mistaken. For example, "She was off in her assessment of the situation". Alternatives include "she was mistaken" or "she was incorrect".

Is "she was off" appropriate for formal writing?

While "she was off" is commonly used and grammatically correct, it may be considered informal. In formal writing, consider using more precise and formal alternatives such as "she had departed", "she was absent", or "she was mistaken", depending on the intended meaning.