in an ecstasy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in an ecstasy" is not correct in standard English; the correct form is "in ecstasy." You can use it to describe a state of overwhelming joy or delight.
Example: "She was in ecstasy when she received the news of her promotion."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

I was in an ecstasy of mules.

The New Yorker

Revolts and reprisals were conducted in an ecstasy of violence.

The New Yorker

People in the audience clutched their cellphones in an ecstasy of frenetic posting.

The New York Times

By Carolyn Kormann June 10 , 2015View on Instagram I was in an ecstasy of mules.

The New Yorker

"But I wouldn't like to take you!" sighs Ruth in an ecstasy of romantic certainty.

The Guardian - Film

For Walid, the two years after the revolution passed in an ecstasy of youth.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

The nightingale has probably the most celebrated song, with John Keats describing the bird pouring forth thy soul abroad in such an ecstasy! in his 1819 Ode to a Nightingale.

BBC

In this state, "Lenny would soon become Napoleonic (except he'd get more done than Napoleon ever did, because Napoleon slept once in a while)." When Lenny self-destructs while in an Ecstasy-enhanced version of this state, Carver and Miranda discover how little they actually knew about him.

The New York Times - Books

In New South Wales, an ecstasy pill costs the same as a cup of coffee.

Vice

The Gravanos already face charges in connection with an Ecstasy ring that the authorities say he ran in Arizona.

The New York Times

It turns out he's in prison for running an ecstasy factory in his basement.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "in ecstasy" without the article "an". The phrase describes a state of being, and the article is grammatically incorrect in this context. For example: "She was in ecstasy after winning the award."

Common error

Avoid using the article "an" before "ecstasy" when describing a state of intense emotion. The correct form is simply "in ecstasy". Using "in an ecstasy" is a common grammatical error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in an ecstasy" functions as a prepositional phrase intended to describe a state of intense joy or overwhelming emotion. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, the grammatically correct form is "in ecstasy". Examples from Ludwig showcase varied contexts, but the underlying intent is consistent.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

7%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "in an ecstasy" appears in various sources, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "in ecstasy". As Ludwig AI points out, using the article "an" before "ecstasy" in this context is a common mistake. The intended meaning is to describe a state of overwhelming joy or intense emotion. For accurate and effective communication, stick to the grammatically sound "in ecstasy" or explore alternatives like "in a state of rapture".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in ecstasy

Removes the unnecessary article "an", correcting the grammatical error.

in a frenzy

Conveys a state of wild excitement or uncontrolled activity.

in a transport of delight

Emphasizes the feeling of joy and being carried away by it.

in a state of rapture

Highlights a feeling of intense pleasure or joy.

in a blissful state

Focuses on the serene and joyful nature of the experience.

overwhelmed with joy

Directly states the feeling of being overcome by happiness.

lost in elation

Suggests a sense of being completely absorbed in happiness.

in seventh heaven

An idiomatic expression for being in a state of perfect happiness.

on cloud nine

Another idiomatic expression indicating extreme happiness.

in a delirium of joy

Implies a state of wild, almost uncontrolled happiness.

FAQs

How to correctly use "in ecstasy" in a sentence?

Use "in ecstasy" to describe a state of overwhelming joy or delight. For example: "She was "in ecstasy" when she heard the news".

What is the difference between "in ecstasy" and "in an ecstasy"?

"In ecstasy" is the correct grammatical form. "In an ecstasy" is grammatically incorrect because "ecstasy" is used as an uncountable noun in this context, describing a state of being.

What can I say instead of "in an ecstasy"?

Since "in an ecstasy" is incorrect, use "in ecstasy" or alternatives like "in a state of rapture" or "overwhelmed with joy".

Is "in ecstasy" formal or informal?

"In ecstasy" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts to describe a state of intense joy or delight. However, other alternatives such as "in a state of rapture" can be more appropriate for formal settings.