be heartened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be heartened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express encouragement or to indicate that someone should feel uplifted or reassured in a situation. Example: "Despite the challenges ahead, we should be heartened by the support we have received from our community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The players meanwhile appear to be heartened.

Independent

Most Palestinians will be heartened by the news.

The Economist

But Silverberg and his peers should be heartened.

The New York Times - Books

I have to be heartened looking ahead," the Wales manager said.

Independent

He might be heartened to learn the effect that his clip had on one family.

The New York Times

There is one Democrat in particular who should be heartened by Gray Davis's triumph in California.

The Economist

"Mount Siccapillydircus!" he tries again in desperation.Readers aloud will be heartened.

The Economist

"Clemens and his team of lawyers must be heartened," Richman said.

The New York Times - Sports

Villarreal still merited their point and will be heartened by their showing.

The Guardian - Sport

It's one more enduring Villefranche specialty that Cocteau would be heartened to recognize.

The New York Times - Travel

Everyone should be heartened by what happened at Tanglewood on Friday night.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be heartened" to convey a sense of encouragement or reassurance, especially when highlighting a positive aspect within a challenging situation. For example, "Despite the initial setback, investors should "be heartened" by the company's long-term growth potential."

Common error

While "be heartened" is grammatically correct, it may sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "feel encouraged" or "take heart" when speaking or writing informally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be heartened" functions primarily as a passive verb phrase, indicating that someone is the recipient of an action that instills courage or hope. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be heartened" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase, used to convey encouragement or reassurance. It is most frequently encountered in the news and media, possessing a neutral-to-formal register. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is frequently used. While alternatives like "take heart" and "feel encouraged" exist, "be heartened" holds its own unique nuance in formal contexts. The best practice is to use it when you want to emphasize a sense of hope or upliftment. However, be mindful of the context; it could be seen as too formal in casual conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take heart

Replaces "be heartened" with a more concise and idiomatic expression, focusing on encouragement.

feel encouraged

Substitutes "heartened" with "encouraged", emphasizing the feeling of upliftment.

find encouragement

Shifts the focus to the act of discovering encouragement.

gain confidence

Highlights the aspect of increasing self-assurance.

be uplifted

Replaces "heartened" with "uplifted", conveying a sense of elevated spirits.

be buoyed

Uses "buoyed" to suggest being supported or kept afloat emotionally.

draw hope

Emphasizes the act of extracting hope from a situation.

be reassured

Focuses on the feeling of having one's doubts dispelled.

be inspired

Suggests a feeling of motivation and creative impulse.

see a silver lining

Idiomatic expression suggesting finding a positive aspect in a negative situation.

FAQs

How can I use "be heartened" in a sentence?

You can use "be heartened" to express that someone should feel encouraged or reassured. For example: "The team should "feel encouraged" by their recent progress."

What are some alternatives to "be heartened"?

You can use alternatives like "take heart", "feel encouraged", or "gain confidence" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "be heartened" or "be encouraged"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and express a similar sentiment. "Be heartened" might carry a slightly more formal or emphatic tone compared to "be encouraged".

What's the difference between "be heartened" and "be comforted"?

"Be heartened" emphasizes encouragement and a boost in spirits, while "be comforted" focuses on providing solace and easing distress. They address different emotional responses.