great delight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "great delight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong sense of pleasure or joy about something. Example: "She received the news of her promotion with great delight, knowing all her hard work had paid off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"They obviously took great delight in each other, I thought".

The New York Times

& v. & n. (informal): (used to express) great delight or excitement.

The Guardian - Books

Clearly it doesn't give anybody any great delight or satisfaction".

The Guardian - Business

Typically, it was a story Foot told with great delight.

The Guardian

The great delight of this book is the narrator's voice.

The Guardian - Books

You might think, as a U.S.C. alum, that I would take great delight in this development.

The New York Times

He had a great fondness for notoriety and sensation, and a great delight in writing letters.

The New Yorker

She has an expressive face, and she takes great delight in performing.

The New Yorker

"The players greeted him with great delight while that shirt was given to him.

Independent

He joked and he jousted, all the while taking great delight in his curious outsider status.

The New York Times - Sports

But at  50-1 she did, to the bookies' great delight.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "great delight" when you want to emphasize a strong feeling of pleasure or joy. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "great delight" is a valid and useful expression, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "immense joy" or "tremendous pleasure" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great delight" functions as a noun phrase, where "great" modifies the noun "delight". It expresses a strong feeling of happiness or pleasure. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts to describe positive emotions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Books

17%

Music

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "great delight" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to express a strong sense of pleasure or joy. According to Ludwig, it's considered correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, Books, and Music, the phrase functions as a noun phrase and serves to convey positive emotions. While versatile, varying your vocabulary can prevent repetitiveness. Consider alternatives such as "immense joy" or "tremendous pleasure" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immense joy

Emphasizes a very large degree of happiness or pleasure, similar to "great delight".

tremendous pleasure

Indicates a very strong sense of enjoyment or satisfaction.

profound joy

Highlights the depth and intensity of the happiness experienced.

boundless happiness

Suggests a limitless or unrestricted feeling of joy.

sheer joy

Emphasizes the unadulterated and pure nature of the happiness.

exquisite pleasure

Highlights the refined and delicate quality of the enjoyment.

complete elation

Indicates a state of extreme happiness and excitement.

utmost satisfaction

Focuses on the feeling of fulfillment and contentment.

deep satisfaction

Highlights the extent and intensity of being satisfied.

intense gratification

Emphasizes the powerful and satisfying feeling of pleasure.

FAQs

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

You can use "great delight" to describe someone's positive reaction or feeling towards something. For example: "She received the news with "great delight"." or "He took "great delight" in helping others."

What are some synonyms for "great delight"?

Alternatives to "great delight" include "immense joy", "tremendous pleasure", and "profound joy". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "great delight" or "great pleasure"?

"Great delight" and "great pleasure" are similar and often interchangeable. "Great delight" suggests a more enthusiastic or excited feeling than "great pleasure", which can be more calm or satisfied.

Can "great delight" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "great delight" is suitable for formal writing, as it's a well-established and grammatically correct phrase. However, consider the tone of your writing and choose the phrase that best fits the context; for example, in a business letter, "tremendous pleasure" may be more appropriate.