she was withdrawn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was withdrawn" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is emotionally distant or not engaging with others, often in a social context. Example: "After the incident, she was withdrawn and preferred to spend time alone rather than with her friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

She was withdrawn but she knew what she wanted.

Independent

The rest of the day she was withdrawn and quiet and said she didn't want to hear anything else.

The New York Times

One subject dropped-out from the trial due to difficulties in obtaining blood samples and considering her safety and well-being, she was withdrawn from the study.

Nature

She was withdrawn, quiet; if still prone to violent outbursts of rage, she might have been on medication to control it.

The New Yorker

"She was withdrawn, quiet, and appeared very sad throughout the entire day," said Allison Joyce, an American photojournalist who documented the wedding of 15-year-old Nasoin Akhter to a 32-year-old man, in her blog.

Columbia University

Speckle the chicken The sad tale of Speckle rivals any Olympic disappointment: promised a role in the opening ceremony she was withdrawn at the last minute when her fellow chickens started picking on her.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Mills then announced she was withdrawing from Sochi because of what she considered unfair regulation.

Independent

Baroness Jones, the Green peer, also said she was withdrawing support because the group lacked "judgement".

Independent

In October, O'Connor announced that she was withdrawing from public life because of dementia.

The Washington Post

Jenny Jones, the Green peer, also said she was withdrawing her backing from Vote Leave.

The Guardian

In January, she announced she was withdrawing from consideration after it became clear she could not win Senate confirmation.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she was withdrawn" to describe a noticeable decrease in someone's engagement or interaction with their surroundings or other people.

Common error

Avoid using "she was withdrawn" to describe someone who is simply quiet or introverted by nature. This phrase implies a change in behavior, suggesting a previous state of greater engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was withdrawn" functions as a stative description, indicating a state of being. It describes a condition or demeanor the subject exhibited in the past, often implying a contrast to a previous state. Ludwig confirms the phrase's correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "she was withdrawn" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe a state of emotional or social disengagement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in News & Media, Wiki, and Scientific sources. When using this phrase, it's important to consider its implication of a change in behavior, distinguishing it from inherent personality traits like shyness. Alternatives like "she was isolated", "she was detached", or "she was reserved" can offer more specific nuances. Use "she was withdrawn" to effectively portray a noticeable decrease in someone's interaction, steering clear of misinterpreting temporary quietness as withdrawal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she was detached

Emphasizes a lack of emotional involvement or connection.

she was removed

Focuses on physical or emotional separation from a situation or group.

she was isolated

Focuses on being separated from others, highlighting a lack of social connection.

she was reserved

Highlights a tendency to keep emotions and thoughts private.

she was kept apart

Emphasizes a separation imposed by external forces.

she was aloof

Suggests a distant and haughty demeanor, implying a sense of superiority.

she was reticent

Emphasizes a reluctance to speak or express oneself.

she was excluded

Highlights being left out or prevented from participating.

she was sidelined

Highlights being moved to a less important position or role.

she was taken out

Indicates a removal from a situation, often unexpectedly.

FAQs

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

You can use "she was withdrawn" to describe someone who has become less communicative or engaged than usual. For example, "After the incident, she was withdrawn and preferred to spend time alone."

What's a good alternative to "she was withdrawn"?

Alternatives include "she was isolated", "she was detached", or "she was reserved", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "she is withdrawn" or "she was withdrawn"?

"She is withdrawn" describes her current state, while "she was withdrawn" describes a past state. The correct choice depends on the time frame you are referring to.

What's the difference between "she was withdrawn" and "she was shy"?

"She was shy" describes a general personality trait, while "she was withdrawn" implies a change in behavior, suggesting she used to be more outgoing or engaged.