she was reliable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was reliable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who can be depended upon or trusted to do what they say they will do. Example: "In her role as a project manager, she was reliable, always meeting deadlines and keeping the team informed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

On "The Voice," she was reliable to a fault with her Pam Tillis and Carrie Underwood covers: clean, crisp, dull.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

She is reliable, efficient, focussed: Virgo qualities.

The New Yorker

But she's reliable, and she smiles a lot, and she'll look good crying during her second performance of the winner's single.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

John Healey, a former Treasury minister who worked with Kendall in her first shadow ministerial position on health, said she is reliable, loyal and hardworking with a "sharp, strong policy mind".

The Guardian

Statistical analyses of her financial history show that she is reliable and careful.

TechCrunch

Allen was reliable as ever.

The New York Times - Sports

She must be reliable too, but the Beta being dependable is a MUST.

WikiHow

Further, the critics contended that she might not be reliable enough to comply with the demanding regimen of antirejection drugs that she is expected to need the rest of her life.

The New York Times

She was totally reliable for all her friends and truly loyal.

The Guardian

For a time in the mid-1990s, she was a reliable savior of roots music, with a handful of warm, spare albums released in quick succession that tackled family, love and skepticism in a striking, liquid voice.

The New York Times - Arts

She was a reliable patient in terms of recounting her medical history and vehemently denied any other forms of trauma.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she was reliable" when you want to emphasize someone's consistent dependability and trustworthiness. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "she was reliable" is perfectly acceptable, avoid repetitive use in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms like "dependable", "trustworthy", or describing specific instances of her reliability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was reliable" functions as a descriptive statement, where 'she' is the subject, 'was' is a linking verb, and 'reliable' is a predicate adjective describing the subject's characteristic in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig, this construction is grammatically correct and understandable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she was reliable" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a past state of dependability. Ludwig confirms its correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in news, media, and wiki contexts, it serves to convey trustworthiness and consistency. While simple, it's versatile and can be used in formal or informal settings. When writing, consider variations to avoid repetition, such as "she was dependable" or "she could be counted on". Overall, using Ludwig’s analysis, the phrase stands as a solid and effective descriptor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she was dependable

Replaces "reliable" with a synonym, maintaining the same meaning.

she was trustworthy

Emphasizes her honesty and integrity, similar to being reliable.

she was consistent

Highlights her predictable behavior, aligning with reliability.

she could be counted on

Uses a more verbose phrase to express the idea of reliance.

she never let you down

Focuses on her ability to fulfill expectations.

she was always there

Implies reliability through her constant presence and support.

she was a safe pair of hands

Suggests that she was a reliable person to delegate important tasks to.

she was a rock

Metaphorically describes her as a stable and reliable presence.

her word was her bond

Underscores the trustworthiness and reliability of her promises.

she always came through

Highlights her ability to successfully complete tasks and meet expectations.

FAQs

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

You can use "she was reliable" to describe a person who consistently met expectations and could be depended upon. For instance: "In her role as a project manager, "she was reliable", always meeting deadlines and keeping the team informed."

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

You can use alternatives like "she was dependable", "she was trustworthy", or "she could be counted on" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "she was reliable"?

Yes, "she was reliable" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure with a subject ("she"), a past tense verb ("was"), and a predicate adjective ("reliable").

What is the difference between "she was reliable" and "she is reliable"?

"She was reliable" refers to a past state of being, indicating that she was reliable at some point in the past. "She is reliable" describes her current state, meaning she is reliable now.