she was persistent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was persistent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who continues to try despite difficulties or challenges. Example: "Despite facing numerous setbacks, she was persistent in her efforts to achieve her goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

She was persistent.

The New York Times

She was persistent but respectful and calm.

The Washington Post

"Your glasses". She was persistent, too.

The Guardian - Books

It wasn't only journalists with whom she was persistent.

The New York Times

"I said, 'I don't think you understand; you've got to be able to see the bar.' But she was persistent".

The New York Times - Sports

I was not the best student at that time; I was in a lot of pain and did not want to do the work but she was persistent and determined to teach me and she did.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"She is persistent," Mr. Vanden Heuvel said.

The New York Times

Closing the sale reinforces her confidence that even in apparent stalemates, she can find the seeds of agreement if she's persistent.

Harvard University

As personified by Helen Baxendale, Cordelia is as practical as she is persistent, as one assumes the author would be were she a private eye.

The New York Times

"She's persistent and positive and hopeful," Ms. Milliken said, "and I get discouraged and am skeptical and worry a lot.

The New York Times - Food

Then I remind them she is persistent and smart, citing the story from back when I worked and went to school and she managed to get all three babysitters in one day to take her out for ice cream.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she was persistent" when you want to emphasize someone's unwavering determination in the face of challenges. It's particularly effective when highlighting their refusal to give up despite obstacles.

Common error

Avoid repeating "she was persistent" too frequently within a single paragraph or short text. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms like "she was determined", "she persevered", or "she remained steadfast" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was persistent" functions as a descriptive statement, attributing the quality of persistence to a female subject. Ludwig shows this phrase being used to describe someone's unwavering determination.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she was persistent" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a woman's unwavering determination and refusal to give up, as validated by Ludwig. The phrase sees frequent use in the news and media, academia, and wiki contexts, signifying a neutral register adaptable to both formal and informal communication. When using "she was persistent", aim to emphasize the commendable quality of resilience while avoiding repetitive language by exploring synonyms like "she was determined" or "she persevered". According to Ludwig, this versatility and consistent correctness makes it an effective choice for portraying strong character traits.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she was determined

Replaces "persistent" with "determined", highlighting a firm decision to achieve something.

she was tenacious

Substitutes "persistent" with "tenacious", emphasizing a firm hold on a goal or position.

she was resolute

Replaces "persistent" with "resolute", stressing unwavering commitment.

she was insistent

Suggests a firm and unwavering demand or request, similar to persistence.

she persevered

Changes the structure to a verb, "persevered", focusing on the action of continuing despite difficulty.

she didn't give up

Expresses persistence by highlighting the refusal to quit.

she kept at it

An informal way of saying she continued to try.

she pressed on

Emphasizes forward movement despite obstacles.

she remained steadfast

Highlights unwavering loyalty and commitment.

she stood her ground

Suggests resilience and refusal to be moved or intimidated.

FAQs

What does "she was persistent" mean?

The phrase "she was persistent" means that a female individual continued to try to achieve something, even when faced with difficulties or opposition. It highlights her determination and refusal to give up.

What are some synonyms for "she was persistent"?

Some synonyms for "she was persistent" include "she was determined", "she was tenacious", "she persevered", and "she didn't give up". The best alternative depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

You can use "she was persistent" in a sentence to describe someone who continued to try despite setbacks. For example, "Despite facing numerous rejections, she was persistent in her pursuit of a publishing deal."

Is it more appropriate to say "she was persistent" or "she had persistence"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different uses. "She was persistent" describes her character or behavior in a particular situation. "She had persistence" refers to a quality or trait she possesses. The choice depends on what you want to emphasize.