enjoyed themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "enjoyed themselves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to individuals or a group having a good time or experiencing pleasure in a particular situation. Example: "The children played in the park all afternoon and truly enjoyed themselves."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They definitely enjoyed themselves".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Politicians of other parties enjoyed themselves.

The New York Times

The New Millennium musicians clearly enjoyed themselves.

The New York Times

The other Pakistan bowlers enjoyed themselves, too.

The Guardian - Sport

"They enjoyed themselves, but what did they get for it?

The New Yorker

Describes the cabin & tells how the children enjoyed themselves.

The New Yorker

Judging from their social-media accounts, the players enjoyed themselves.

The New Yorker

It's unlikely that everyone on the ship enjoyed themselves, however.

The Guardian - Sport

They had enjoyed themselves all season, and they were not about to change now.

The New York Times - Sports

Had Silva slid in Johnson's low cross, City could have relaxed and enjoyed themselves.

Independent

The "ideal" solutions are not difficult to list, and many outsiders have enjoyed themselves doing so.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "enjoyed themselves" when you want to convey that a group or individuals experienced pleasure, amusement, or satisfaction in a particular situation. Ensure the context aligns with the reflexive nature of the phrase, indicating the subjects were the recipients of their own enjoyment.

Common error

Avoid using "enjoyed themselves" when referring to an action performed on someone else. For example, it's incorrect to say "The host enjoyed themselves with the guests." Instead, use "The host entertained the guests" or "The host enjoyed the party with the guests."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enjoyed themselves" functions as a reflexive verb phrase, indicating that the subject experienced pleasure or satisfaction. Ludwig AI shows that it's commonly used to describe a positive experience had by a group or individual.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "enjoyed themselves" is a common and grammatically correct reflexive verb phrase used to indicate that individuals or groups experienced pleasure or satisfaction. According to Ludwig AI, it's frequently used in News & Media contexts and maintains a neutral register, suitable for various settings. When using the phrase, ensure it reflects the subjects being the recipients of their own enjoyment and consider alternatives like "had a good time" or "were delighted with" depending on the desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had a good time

A common and versatile alternative, suitable for many informal contexts. It expresses general enjoyment.

had fun

Similar to "had a good time", but typically used in more casual settings to describe playful or lighthearted enjoyment.

had a blast

An informal expression denoting a very exciting and enjoyable experience.

had a whale of a time

An idiom expressing great enjoyment, suggesting a memorable and exciting experience.

reveled in

Implies a more intense and exuberant enjoyment, often of a specific event or experience.

delighted in

Suggests a refined and sophisticated pleasure, often taken in something subtle or artful.

found pleasure in

Emphasizes the act of discovering enjoyment in something, suggesting a sense of surprise or discovery.

were pleased with

Indicates satisfaction and contentment, but focuses more on the positive outcome than the experience itself.

were entertained

Focuses on being provided with amusement or enjoyment, often by an external source.

were amused

Indicates lighthearted enjoyment, often in response to something funny or entertaining.

FAQs

How can I use "enjoyed themselves" in a sentence?

Use "enjoyed themselves" to indicate that people experienced pleasure or satisfaction. For example: "The children played in the park and thoroughly enjoyed themselves" or "The guests at the party really enjoyed themselves".

What's a more formal way to say "enjoyed themselves"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "were delighted with" or "found satisfaction in". These options convey a similar meaning with a slightly more sophisticated vocabulary.

What can I say instead of "enjoyed themselves" in a casual context?

In casual conversation, you can substitute "enjoyed themselves" with phrases like "had a good time" or "had fun". These are simpler and more commonly used in informal settings.

Is it correct to use "enjoyed himself/herself" instead of "enjoyed themselves"?

Yes, "enjoyed himself" or "enjoyed herself" are correct when referring to a single person. For example, "He enjoyed himself at the concert", while "enjoyed themselves" is used for plural subjects or when the gender is not specified, like "The team enjoyed themselves after the victory".