express delight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "express delight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when conveying feelings of joy or pleasure about something, often in a formal or literary context. Example: "The audience began to express delight at the performance, applauding enthusiastically."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

We actually coach them to lie, as when we ask them to express delight at tube socks from Aunt Judy or Uncle Bob's not-so-delicious beef stew.

University of California, Berkeley

They express delight here that some thought of it as a Mad magazine for grown-ups, and indeed cite Mad as one of their influences.

The New York Times - Books

Updated at 3.36am GMT 3.25am GMT Just before Plibersek, the former prime minister John Howard has bobbed up to is express delight at the Cosgrove appointment.

The Guardian

Many commuters took to social media to express delight at the Christmas cheer, with one person saying it was the "cutest thing since [Jigglypuff]", a fluffy pink character from video game Pokemon.

Independent

On Tuesday, Mr. Bush telephoned Mr. Chirac to express delight over "the excellent French-American cooperation in Haiti" and to "thank France for its action," Catherine Colonna, Mr. Chirac's spokeswoman, told reporters.

The New York Times

When she mentioned Peter, it was to express delight in having a little boy, saying he was the coolest person and adding that the best thing to happen to her was "becoming a mum".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Several workers expressed delight.

The New York Times

Afterward, leaders of some such groups expressed delight.

The New York Times

He expressed delight that most had supported him.

The New York Times

The director expressed delight with the finished museum.

The Guardian - Arts

Manzar is stocky, with a face that expresses delight instantly.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "express delight" to formally and clearly convey feelings of pleasure or satisfaction, especially in written communication or formal settings. Be mindful of the context to ensure it aligns with the level of formality.

Common error

Avoid using "express delight" in casual conversations; it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler, more natural expressions like "I'm happy" or "That's great" in informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "express delight" functions as a verb phrase where "express" is the verb, and "delight" is a noun acting as the object. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is usable in written English, typically to convey feelings of joy or pleasure.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "express delight" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to formally convey feelings of joy or pleasure, as verified by Ludwig. It is most commonly found in news and media, as well as academic contexts, indicating a relatively neutral level of formality. While the phrase is valid and usable, it's important to consider the context to ensure it aligns with the desired level of formality. Simpler alternatives such as "show elation", "convey joy", or "voice pleasure" may be more appropriate for informal conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

convey joy

Offers a more direct and simpler way to communicate happiness.

voice pleasure

Highlights the verbal expression of happiness or satisfaction.

communicate joyfulness

Stresses the act of conveying a sense of happiness or high spirits to others.

show elation

Replaces "express delight" with a stronger emotion, implying a more intense level of happiness.

exhibit satisfaction

Emphasizes contentment and fulfillment rather than pure joy.

manifest pleasure

Uses a more formal tone to indicate the outward display of enjoyment.

demonstrate glee

Indicates a lively and exuberant expression of delight.

radiate happiness

Suggests that the delight is visibly apparent and emanating from the person.

project happiness

Similar to radiate happiness, but may imply a more deliberate effort to show joy.

reveal amusement

Focuses on expressing a lighter, more playful form of delight.

FAQs

How can I use "express delight" in a sentence?

You can use "express delight" when you want to formally convey your happiness or pleasure about something. For example: "The team members "expressed delight" at the positive feedback from the clients."

What can I say instead of "express delight"?

You can use alternatives like "show elation", "convey joy", or "voice pleasure" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "express delight" or "show happiness"?

While both phrases are correct, "express delight" is generally considered more formal and emphatic than "show happiness". The choice depends on the desired tone and context.

What's the difference between "express delight" and "feel delighted"?

"Express delight" refers to the outward communication of joy, while "feel delighted" describes the internal emotion. You can feel delighted without expressing it, and vice versa (though the latter might be insincere).