brought him joy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brought him joy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something has caused happiness or pleasure to a person in the past. Example: "The surprise party his friends organized for him truly brought him joy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The Federer piece had brought him joy.

The New Yorker

Each meatball that I sneaked onto his plate not only brought him joy; it also brought us closer.

The New York Times - Magazine

During a later Guardian webchat he was asked what brought him joy and replied it was "talking to people I don't know on the internet!

The Guardian - Arts

Yakub Bulus, the father of another of the Chibok girls, said that the news brought him joy and hope that his daughter would be found.

The Guardian

"That brought him joy.

Los Angeles Times

There was a time in Raeford Davis's life when the idea of putting on a police uniform and a badge brought him joy.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

His caveat to the admission that his kids do after all bring him joy is 24-carat Scandi-gloom: "Joy is not my goal, never has been, what good is joy to me?" Boyhood Island, the latest volume to come out in English, makes clear that, with a father like Knausgaard's, anyone might struggle to turn their frown upside down.

The Guardian - Books

"It brings him joy," said Risa Heller, a former communications director, one of more than a dozen former aides who recounted his sayings, often while imitating his voice.

The New York Times

But the Playland portraits bring him joy, even if some may look down at a carnival artist.

The New York Times

Jamillah embarks on a mission to bring him joy, but will luring him to a flashmob rave in the market square work?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Did going out and looking for talent as a scout bring him joy and pleasure?" Ogilvie, 80, wrote a study entitled "The unidimensional human being" nearly 25 years ago, focusing on former athletes unable to cope with retirement.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "brought him joy", ensure the context clearly indicates what specifically caused the joy. Be precise in describing the source of happiness.

Common error

Avoid using "brought him joy" when a less intense emotion is more appropriate. For example, if something simply made him feel content, a phrase like "made him content" would be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brought him joy" functions as a verb phrase, where "brought" is the past tense of the verb "bring", indicating an action that caused happiness. Ludwig AI's examples show this phrase used to describe specific instances that resulted in a person experiencing joy.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "brought him joy" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression used to describe an action or event that caused someone happiness. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, predominantly in news and media. While not extremely common, its directness makes it effective for conveying a positive emotional impact. When using this phrase, consider the specific context to ensure the intensity of the emotion and its source are clearly communicated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made him happy

A simpler and more direct way of expressing the same sentiment.

gave him pleasure

Focuses more on the feeling of pleasure received.

filled him with delight

Emphasizes a stronger sense of happiness and excitement.

was a source of joy for him

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the joy.

gladdened his heart

A more poetic and emotional way to describe bringing joy.

brightened his day

Highlights the positive impact on a specific day.

elated him

Suggests a feeling of great happiness and exhilaration.

thrilled him

Conveys a sense of excitement and intense pleasure.

cheered him up

Focuses on lifting someone's spirits from a state of sadness.

put a smile on his face

Focuses on the visible expression of happiness.

FAQs

How can I use "brought him joy" in a sentence?

You can use "brought him joy" to describe something that made someone happy. For example, "The surprise visit from his family "brought him joy"".

What are some alternatives to saying "brought him joy"?

Alternatives include "gave him pleasure", "made him happy", or "filled him with delight". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "brought him joy"?

Yes, "brought him joy" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. It accurately conveys that something caused someone to experience joy.

What is the difference between "brought him joy" and "brought joy to him"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "brought him joy" is more direct and commonly used. "Brought joy to him" is slightly more formal and emphasizes the act of bringing joy rather than the experience of joy itself.