a delighted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a delighted" is not correct as it is incomplete and lacks context.
It can be used when describing someone who is feeling delight, but it typically needs to be followed by a noun. Example: "She was a delighted participant in the event."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Like a delighted horse.

The Guardian

Yes!", a delighted grin splitting his face.

The Guardian - Music

A delighted murmur ripples round my section of the hall.

Independent

The likes of 'thrun down' would get a delighted entry.

The New York Times - Books

Hancock in particular made Larranaga a delighted spectator.

The New York Times - Sports

A train is sure to get a delighted response.

The New York Times

There is a pause and then a delighted laugh.

The Guardian

A delighted Clinton campaign seized upon Trump's nocturnal outpourings.

The New Yorker

"He's going to be furious!" grins a delighted Ferrari.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

'It has made a remarkable difference,' said a delighted Thurston.

The Guardian

Each enormous face is wreathed in a delighted smile.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "a delighted" with a noun to clearly indicate who or what is experiencing the delight. For example, "a delighted fan" or "a delighted audience".

Common error

Avoid using "a delighted" without a following noun, as it can sound awkward or unfinished. Ensure the sentence clearly indicates who or what is experiencing the delight to provide complete context.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a delighted" is as a descriptive adjective modifying a noun. It serves to attribute the quality of being delighted or pleased to the noun it modifies. Ludwig AI suggests that the phrase should be completed by a noun to follow it.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a delighted" functions as an adjective that describes a noun, conveying joy or satisfaction. While Ludwig AI notes that it benefits from a following noun, its usage is widespread across various sources, particularly in news and media. The phrase is mostly appropriate for neutral or slightly formal contexts. Although some may consider it incomplete without a noun, its frequent use suggests it's an acceptable expression. Consider completing the phrase with a noun to make it more clear. To enhance variety in your writing, you might consider using alternative phrases like "very pleased" or "extremely glad".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very pleased

Changes the article and adjective to a more direct expression of satisfaction.

extremely glad

Emphasizes the feeling of happiness with a stronger adverb.

overjoyed

Replaces the two-word phrase with a single adjective that captures intense joy.

thrilled

A more concise synonym that conveys excitement and pleasure.

incredibly happy

Uses "happy" with an intensifier to show great satisfaction.

utterly content

Focuses on a sense of complete satisfaction and peace.

exceptionally gratified

A more formal alternative that stresses satisfaction.

elated

A sophisticated synonym for very happy or proud.

full of joy

Expresses happiness as an overflowing emotion.

beaming with pleasure

Uses a verb to describe the outward expression of happiness.

FAQs

How can I use "a delighted" in a sentence?

The phrase "a delighted" is often followed by a noun to describe someone or something experiencing happiness or pleasure. For example, "a delighted fan" or "a delighted customer".

What are some alternatives to "a delighted"?

You can use phrases such as "very pleased", "extremely glad", or "overjoyed" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a delighted" without a noun?

While commonly used, especially in journalism, some grammar guides might suggest adding a noun after "a delighted" to complete the phrase and provide clearer context. Consider it acceptable but potentially stylistically weak.

What's the difference between "a delighted" and "delighted"?

"A delighted" typically precedes a noun to describe someone or something, such as "a delighted customer", while "delighted" can stand alone as an adjective or part of a predicate, like "The customer was delighted".