woo her

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'woo her' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to a romantic pursuit of a person, typically for marriage. Example: Jim was determined to win her heart, so he did his best to woo her.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

TO woo her, I needed a music box.

The New York Times

The hearing on Tuesday will present the latest opportunity for Ms. White to woo her critics.

The New York Times

When he tried to woo her on Valentine's Day, she put the brakes on.

The New York Times

Some even tried to woo her in their direction by mooing softly.

Harvard University

"It was a make or break day," he said of his effort to woo her.

The New York Times

I tried to woo her by singing Ebony and Ivory by Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney.

The Guardian

She sounds like a rebel student trying to woo her suitor through pure cerebral pluck.

The New Yorker

Mr. Pring and Mr. Kent, tattooed sailors on the town, woo her until their foghorn calls.

The New York Times - Arts

They'd divorced the year before and I think Dad was trying to woo her back.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Kylie decides to woo her by standing up and saying "I am not sitting down".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

So he embarked on what he calls the "cauliflower operation," creating at least five dishes solely to woo her.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "woo her", consider the connotation. It often implies a somewhat old-fashioned or deliberate attempt to win someone's affection. Choose this phrase when you want to evoke that sense of intentional courtship.

Common error

Avoid using "woo her" in contexts where a more casual or modern approach to dating is expected. It can sound overly formal or even comical in everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "woo her" functions as a verb phrase, where "woo" is a transitive verb requiring a direct object ("her"). It describes the action of attempting to gain someone's affection or favor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "woo her" is a grammatically sound verb phrase that describes the act of attempting to gain a woman's affection, often with romantic intentions. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is considered correct. Although "woo her" appears across diverse media, it most prevalently surfaces within news and media outlets. While somewhat evocative of more traditional courtship methods, the phrase maintains a relatively neutral register. When using "woo her", be aware of its connotation and consider if it aligns with the tone you aim to convey. Remember to choose more casual alternatives, like "charm her" or "attract her", depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

court her

Implies a more traditional and formal approach to winning someone's affection.

attract her

Focuses on drawing her attention and interest without necessarily implying romantic intent.

charm her

Suggests using personal qualities and actions to delight and captivate her.

win her over

Indicates overcoming initial reluctance or resistance to gain her favor.

pursue her

Emphasizes the active and persistent effort to gain her affection.

seduce her

Implies a more direct and potentially manipulative approach to winning her over.

entice her

Suggests using appealing offers or prospects to attract her.

captivate her

Highlights the power of holding someone's attention and interest.

get her attention

Focuses simply on making her notice you or something you're doing.

make advances toward her

Describes making intentional efforts to start a romantic relationship.

FAQs

How can I use "woo her" in a sentence?

You can use "woo her" in a sentence to describe someone trying to win someone's affection. Example: "He tried to woo her with flowers and chocolates."

What does "woo her" mean?

"Woo her" means to try to gain the love or affection of a woman, typically with the intention of marrying her.

What are some alternatives to "woo her"?

Some alternatives to "woo her" include "court her", "attract her", or "charm her".

Is "woo her" a formal or informal expression?

"Woo her" tends to be slightly formal and can sometimes sound old-fashioned, but it's generally understood in both formal and informal contexts.