she was out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is not present or has left a location, often in informal contexts. Example: "When I arrived at the party, I found out that she was out shopping."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She was out cold".

The New York Times

She was out, completely out".

The New York Times

Plus, she was out cold.

The New Yorker

She was out on a date.

The New Yorker

She was out front as Strindberg's representative".

The New York Times - Books

She was out on the edge, pushing the envelope".

The New Yorker

"She was out," Dr. Stone reported to his wife.

The New Yorker

She was out on the edge of the bench.

The New Yorker

Soon she was out in the middle of the hallway.

The New York Times

But that wasn't why she was out here.

The New Yorker

"Three pushes, and she was out," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "she was out" to indicate someone was unconscious, ensure the context clearly implies this meaning to avoid ambiguity. For example, "After the accident, she was out cold."

Common error

Avoid using "she was out" in formal writing when indicating absence. Opt for more precise alternatives like "she was absent" or "she had left" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was out" functions as a predicate in a sentence, describing a state or action of the subject 'she'. It indicates absence, unconsciousness, or engagement in an activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English. Examples provided show various contexts, such as "She was out cold" or "She was out on a date."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "she was out" is a common and versatile expression with multiple meanings, including absence, unconsciousness, or participation in an activity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it serves to provide information about someone's location, state, or actions. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to use more precise language in formal writing. Related phrases include "she had left" and "she was absent".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she had left

Focuses on the action of leaving a place.

she wasn't there

Directly states her non-presence.

she was absent

Emphasizes the state of not being present.

she had gone

Highlights the completion of her departure.

she was not present

A more formal way of saying she wasn't there.

she was away

Indicates a temporary absence.

she was unavailable

Suggests she couldn't be reached or wasn't accessible.

she was finished

Implies the task or activity is completed by her.

she had departed

A formal way to express she left.

she was discharged

Suggests release from a duty or place.

FAQs

What does "she was out" mean?

The phrase "she was out" can have different meanings depending on the context. It can mean she was not at a particular location, she was unconscious, or she was participating in an activity.

What can I say instead of "she was out" when referring to someone's absence?

You can use alternatives like "she was absent", "she had left", or "she was away" depending on the context.

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

You can say, "She was out running errands" to indicate she was away from home doing tasks, or "She was out cold after fainting" to mean she was unconscious.

Is "she was out" the same as "she is out"?

No, "she was out" implies a past state or action, while "she is out" indicates a present state. For instance, "She was out of the office yesterday" versus "She is out of the office right now".