awfully pleased

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "awfully pleased" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong sense of happiness or satisfaction, often in a somewhat informal or colloquial context. Example: "I was awfully pleased to hear that I got the job after the interview."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

For a man whose own side is telling reporters that he did what Eliot Spitzer did — except that Spitzer paid what he owed — Strauss-Kahn has looked awfully pleased with himself since being released from house arrest.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

… I am mystified … It is 'temperament', maybe, or more likely just the usual 'massive inertia' that one runs into at every turn … in the stories she has awfully good things and they do sound pretty good in English, and I was quite pleased with them".

The Guardian - Books

Joe Lieberman was awfully civil to Dick Cheney; as a result, audiences learned less about who Dick Cheney was than about how very pleased Lieberman was with the idea of his own niceness.

The New Yorker

Awfully wrong".

The New York Times - Magazine

Or pleased?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Awfully quick.

The New Yorker

Awfully good.

The New York Times - Sports

It was awfully high, but awfully lonesome.

The New Yorker

"I am happy, pleased.

The New York Times - Sports

Ferlesch looked pleased, too.

The New Yorker

"He's very pleased".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "awfully pleased" to express a strong but somewhat understated sense of satisfaction, particularly in informal contexts or when aiming for a touch of British English nuance.

Common error

Avoid using "awfully pleased" in highly formal or professional writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound too informal. Opt for more neutral alternatives such as "very pleased" or "extremely satisfied".

Linguistic Context

"Awfully pleased" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a subject, expressing a high degree of satisfaction or happiness. The adverb "awfully" intensifies the adjective "pleased". Ludwig AI confirms its usability, although its frequency is relatively low.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "awfully pleased" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to convey a strong sense of happiness or satisfaction. According to Ludwig AI, it is more suited for neutral to informal contexts, as supported by its presence in news and media sources like The New Yorker and The Guardian. While "awfully pleased" effectively intensifies the feeling of pleasure, it is important to consider the register and opt for more formal alternatives like "very pleased" or "highly gratified" in professional or academic settings. Use "awfully pleased" when a touch of British English nuance or understated emphasis is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Extremely delighted

Emphasizes the intensity of joy, suggesting a higher degree of happiness compared to "awfully pleased".

Highly gratified

Implies a formal satisfaction, often in response to an action or outcome, which is more refined than "awfully pleased".

Thoroughly satisfied

Focuses on the completeness of satisfaction, suggesting that all expectations have been met, unlike the general happiness of "awfully pleased".

Very content

Highlights a state of peaceful satisfaction and ease, which is calmer than the slightly excited tone of "awfully pleased".

Overjoyed

Expresses a more exuberant and intense level of happiness, suggesting a reaction to particularly good news, contrasting with the milder "awfully pleased".

Incredibly happy

Stresses the level of happiness but is a more straightforward expression compared to "awfully pleased".

Immensely grateful

Suggests a feeling of thankfulness mixed with pleasure, adding an element of appreciation not necessarily present in "awfully pleased".

Deeply appreciative

Focuses on recognizing the value of something, making it a more thoughtful sentiment than the simpler "awfully pleased".

Tremendously cheerful

Emphasizes a bright and lively happiness, suggesting an outward display of joy which may not be implied by "awfully pleased".

Significantly pleased

A more formal and reserved expression of satisfaction, lacking the slight informality of "awfully pleased".

FAQs

How can I use "awfully pleased" in a sentence?

You can use "awfully pleased" to express a strong sense of satisfaction or happiness. For example: "I was awfully pleased to hear about your promotion."

What is a more formal alternative to "awfully pleased"?

If you need a more formal phrase, consider using alternatives such as "very pleased", "extremely satisfied", or "highly gratified".

Is "awfully pleased" appropriate for business communication?

While grammatically correct, "awfully pleased" might sound too informal for strict business communication. Alternatives like "very pleased" or "delighted" may be more suitable.

What's the difference between "awfully pleased" and "very pleased"?

"Awfully pleased" carries a slightly more informal and emphatic tone than "very pleased". "Awfully" intensifies the feeling, but it’s less common in formal settings.