be relieved

USAGE SUMMARY

"be relieved" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that someone is feeling less anxious or worried about something. For example, "She was relieved to hear the good news."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She must be relieved.

The New York Times - Arts

He'd probably be relieved.

The New York Times - Magazine

I will be relieved.

The New York Times

You must be relieved.

The New York Times

The Queen must be relieved.

Independent

Business may also be relieved.

The Economist

"Then I would be relieved".

The New York Times - Science

Should I be relieved?

The New York Times - Tech

You'd probably be relieved.

The New York Times

"He will be relieved".

The Guardian

And the Fed, surely, will be relieved.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be relieved", consider specifying what the source of relief is to provide clarity for the reader. For example, "She was relieved to hear the test results were negative."

Common error

Avoid structuring sentences that suggest someone is actively relieving something, as "relieve" typically requires an object. Instead of "She relieved her stress", opt for "She was relieved of her stress" or "She relieved her stress by exercising".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "be relieved" is to serve as a predicate adjective, describing the state or condition of a subject. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showing examples where "be relieved" follows a linking verb (e.g., "is", "was", "will be") to express a feeling of lessened anxiety or worry.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be relieved" is a versatile phrase used to describe a state of reduced anxiety or burden. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions primarily as a predicate adjective. This expression is commonly used across various contexts, but most frequently in news media. While generally neutral in register, its precise nuance can be tailored through careful selection of related phrases, such as "feel a sense of relief". A common mistake is using active voice instead of passive voice, therefore you can say, "She was relieved of her stress", or "She relieved her stress by exercising" instead of "She relieved her stress".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel a sense of relief

This alternative highlights the emotional experience of relief, focusing on the feeling itself.

breathe a sigh of relief

This phrase adds a physical element to the feeling of relief, suggesting a release of tension.

be eased

A more concise and somewhat formal way to express that something has lessened anxiety or burden.

be comforted

Focuses on the emotional reassurance received, suggesting a sense of peace after worry.

have one's fears allayed

A formal and somewhat literary way of saying that one's fears have been reduced.

be reassured

Focuses on having one's confidence restored, lessening doubt or fear.

be delivered

Implies rescue from a difficult situation, often carrying a sense of liberation.

be freed from

Highlights the liberation from a specific obligation or burden.

be off the hook

An informal idiom indicating escape from blame or responsibility.

rest easy

Suggests a state of calmness and lack of worry after a period of concern.

FAQs

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

The phrase "be relieved" is used to express a feeling of comfort after anxiety or stress has been alleviated. For example, you might say, "I'll "be relieved" when the project is finally over".

What's a formal alternative to "be relieved"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "feel a sense of relief" or "be comforted" to convey a similar meaning with greater sophistication.

Is it correct to say "I am relieving" instead of "I am relieved"?

No, "I am relieving" has a different meaning. It suggests you are in the process of alleviating something for someone else. "I am relieved" indicates that you yourself are experiencing a sense of relief. It is not correct to use "relieving" when you mean you feel relief.

What words are often used together with "be relieved"?

Common words used with "be relieved" include "to hear", "that", "when", "greatly", and "somewhat", as in, "I was relieved to hear the news", or "They will "be relieved" that it's over".