she was restless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was restless" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is unable to relax or is agitated, often due to anxiety or impatience. Example: "As the meeting dragged on, she was restless, shifting in her seat and glancing at the clock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

She was restless.

The New York Times

But within five years she was restless.

Harvard Business Review

She was restless, calling out repeatedly for her father.

The New York Times - Magazine

Throughout her life she was restless, demanding, intensely romantic.

The Guardian

She turned away, shuddering off a convulsion as best she could, but another came and she was restless.

The New Yorker

She was restless and broke, and wore her hair and clothes black, which is how she earned her nickname.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Here she is restless, quick and at odds with herself, and very much our contemporary.

The New York Times

Favoring the flashier — Italian ankle boots, crimson scarves, jangling gold jewelry — she is restless, easily thrown off balance and preoccupied with the recent end of an affair.

The New York Times - Books

She is restless for the day when someone will write about her as an athlete, not as a legally blind athlete.

The New York Times - Sports

Without it, she's restless, cries, and is irritable the same thing that happens to adults going through hashish withdrawal.

Vice

She, too, was restless, just as a friend invited her to meet a young Russian woman and her American husband.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "she was restless", ensure the context clearly indicates the cause of her restlessness, whether it's boredom, anxiety, or a desire for change. This provides a richer understanding for the reader.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "she was restless" without providing any details about the situation or her feelings. This can leave the reader wondering why she was restless and reduce the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was restless" functions as a descriptive statement, characterizing a subject's state of being. It combines a pronoun, a past tense verb, and an adjective to attribute a quality of unease or agitation to the subject, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "she was restless" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a state of unease, agitation, or inability to relax. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, providing context to the restlessness enhances the impact of the phrase. Ludwig examples show its prevalence in news, academia, and other sources. Related phrases offer nuanced alternatives, while understanding potential errors ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she was uneasy

This alternative suggests a mild form of discomfort or anxiety, less intense than restlessness.

she was agitated

This phrase implies a higher level of disturbance and anxiety compared to "restless".

she was anxious

This alternative focuses specifically on a state of worry or nervousness.

she was impatient

This highlights the inability to wait or tolerate delays, a specific aspect of restlessness.

she was fidgety

This describes physical manifestations of restlessness, such as moving around frequently.

she was unquiet

This describes a state of being the opposite of tranquility, denoting physical or mental discomfort.

she was unsettled

Suggests a lack of stability or peace of mind.

she was restive

More formal synonym of "restless", implying resistance to control or confinement.

she was stirred

Signifies an awakening or activation of previously dormant feelings or thoughts, with some overlap with restlessness.

she was perturbed

Implies a state of disturbance or worry caused by something.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "she was restless"?

Saying "she was restless" indicates that she was unable to relax or remain still, often due to boredom, anxiety, or a desire for change. It suggests a state of unease and a need for activity or stimulation.

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

You can use alternatives like "she was uneasy", "she was agitated", or "she was impatient", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "she was restless" a formal or informal expression?

"She was restless" is a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the writing.

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

You can use "she was restless" to describe someone's state of being, such as "As the meeting dragged on, she was restless, shifting in her seat and glancing at the clock." or "She was restless in her new job because it didn't provide enough challenges".