she was seen

USAGE SUMMARY

"she was seen" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, such as in a narrative or descriptive writing to describe someone being observed or noticed by others. Example: "As she walked down the busy street, she was seen by many passersby, but none of them took notice of the sadness in her eyes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She was seen walking away.

The Guardian

She was seen on "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman," "St.

The New York Times

She was seen arriving back at the hospital yesterday.

Independent

That says a lot about how she was seen.

The Guardian - Arts

She was seen carrying a machine gun over her shoulder.

The New York Times - Magazine

"She was seen as a rival to the president.

The Guardian

She was seen as too emasculating, too political, too clumsy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That was the last time she was seen alive.

The New York Times

That she was seen on video leaving the apartment the night of the murder.

The New York Times

She was seen as a bit of a leader, especially on the basketball team.

The New York Times - Sports

After Mr. Obama's re-election, she was seen as a prime candidate to replace Mrs. Clinton.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she was seen" in passive voice constructions when the observer is unknown, unimportant, or to emphasize the person being observed. For example, "She was seen leaving the building at 10 PM".

Common error

Avoid using "she was seen" when the active voice provides more clarity and impact. Instead of "She was seen by the detectives", use "The detectives saw her."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was seen" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject (she) was the recipient of the action (being seen). This construction is used when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or to emphasize the subject, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "she was seen" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that describes the act of someone witnessing a female individual. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it's widely employed across various contexts, including news, scientific reports, and general narratives. The choice between active and passive voice depends on the desired focus. While "she was seen" is versatile, it's essential to consider whether an active voice construction might provide greater clarity or impact. Related alternatives include "she was observed", "she was noticed", and "she was spotted", offering nuanced ways to express the act of observation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she was observed

Replaces "seen" with a synonym emphasizing the act of watching.

she was noticed

Focuses on the act of being recognized or noted.

she was regarded

Shifts the focus to how she was perceived or considered.

she was considered

Similar to 'regarded' but highlights a more thoughtful evaluation.

she was spotted

Emphasizes a quick or casual sighting.

she was perceived

Focuses on the sensory experience of noticing someone.

she was identified

Implies a more formal or conclusive recognition.

she made an appearance

Focuses on the act of showing up or being present.

her presence was noted

Highlights that her being there was acknowledged.

she came into view

Focuses on the moment she became visible.

FAQs

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

Use "she was seen" when you want to describe that someone witnessed her. For example, "She was seen entering the store before the robbery."

What are some alternatives to "she was seen"?

You can use alternatives like "she was observed", "she was noticed", or "she was spotted" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "she was seen"?

The choice depends on the focus. Use the active voice (e.g., "Someone saw her") when the actor is important. Use the passive voice ("she was seen") when the action or the person being acted upon is more significant.

What does it mean when someone says "she was seen as"?

When someone says "she was seen as", it means she was perceived or regarded in a particular way. For example, "She was seen as a leader in the community."