she was pretty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was pretty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's physical appearance in a positive way, often in narratives or personal reflections. Example: "As she walked into the room, everyone noticed that she was pretty, with her bright smile and sparkling eyes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So she was pretty amazed.

The New York Times

"I said she was pretty.

The New Yorker

"She was pretty," she said.

The New Yorker

She was pretty, too.

The New Yorker

She was pretty traumatized.

The New York Times - Magazine

She was pretty tired.

The New Yorker

She was pretty self-sufficient.

The Guardian - Sport

We all thought she was pretty bland.

Independent

She was pretty on that night, too.

The New York Times

She was pretty, very pretty.

The New Yorker

"She was pretty homely," Mr. Canepa said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she was pretty" to describe someone's appearance in a narrative or descriptive context. This phrase is suitable for expressing an opinion on someone's looks.

Common error

Avoid using "she was pretty" in formal or professional settings where a more objective or professional description is required. Opt for alternatives like "she was attractive" or describe specific qualities instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was pretty" functions as a descriptive statement, attributing a quality (prettiness) to a female subject. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness. It's a subjective assessment, commonly used in narrative contexts to provide information about a character's appearance.

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, "she was pretty" is a grammatically sound and common phrase used to describe a female's physical appearance. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correct. The examples show its widespread use in descriptive narratives, primarily in News & Media sources. While versatile, it's best used in neutral or informal contexts and should be replaced with more formal alternatives in professional or academic writing. Consider using alternatives such as "she was attractive" or "she was beautiful" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different connotations. Remember to use "she was pretty" thoughtfully, ensuring it aligns with the tone and context of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she was attractive

Replaces "pretty" with a synonym indicating physical appeal.

she was beautiful

Uses a stronger adjective than "pretty", suggesting a higher degree of attractiveness.

she was lovely

Emphasizes charm and pleasantness in addition to physical appearance.

she was good-looking

A more general and straightforward way to describe someone's appearance.

she had a pretty face

Focuses specifically on the attractiveness of her facial features.

she was fair

Describes the beauty of her face.

she was a beauty

Short, direct, and emphasizes the overall beauty.

she was delightful to behold

Adds an element of admiration and pleasure in seeing her.

she possessed an appealing countenance

Uses more formal language to describe an attractive appearance.

she was easy on the eye

Informal way to say that someone is visually pleasing.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "she was pretty"?

You can use alternatives like "she was attractive", "she was beautiful", or "she was lovely" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "she was pretty" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "she was pretty" might be considered too informal for academic or professional writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "she possessed an appealing countenance" or "she was exceptionally attractive".

How do I use "she was pretty" in a sentence?

You can use "she was pretty" to describe someone's appearance. For example, "As she walked into the room, everyone noticed that "she was pretty", with her bright smile and sparkling eyes".

What's the difference between "she was pretty" and "she was beautiful"?

"She was beautiful" implies a higher degree of attractiveness and admiration compared to ""she was pretty"". "Beautiful" suggests a more striking and memorable impression.