it was grateful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it was grateful' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something was thankful or received a blessing. For example: The family was grateful for the help they received after the hurricane.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The organizing committee did not answer a question asking how much had been spent on improvements around the city, but it said in its statement that it was grateful to local residents for their "understanding and support".

The New York Times - Sports

The SFO said it was continuing to liaise with the US Department of Justice over its investigation and it was grateful for help from the FCA, the Competition and Markets Authority and the City of London police, as well as the DoJ and Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

The Guardian

The raincoat found itself hanging on a rack with a sign "Nobby-value-16schils It was grateful that its new owner, a detestable spiv, atleast had no pretenses.

The New Yorker

A spokeswoman for the British Museum said it was "grateful to BP for its continuing support which has allowed the museum to bring world cultures to a global audience through hugely popular exhibitions and their associated public programmes.

The Guardian - Arts

The museum issued a statement, including noting that it was grateful to the community for its enthusiasm for the work so far.

Huffington Post

In a statement, Airbus said it was grateful to the European Commission for "taking consequential action" on its behalf but stressed that it was still prepared to seek a negotiated settlement of the dispute.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Would it be grateful if another country were to jeopardise the process by arresting Gerry Adams?

The Economist

Readers on the whole worry little about it, being grateful for access to foreign goods.

The New York Times - Books

The department wants everyone to know that it is grateful for the nation's overwhelming generosity.

The New York Times

For those gay and straight alike who have this in their lives but don't appreciate it, be grateful.

The Guardian - Opinion

To have good leaders you have to have good followers — able to recognize just authority, admire it, be grateful for it and emulate it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "it was grateful", ensure the subject (the 'it') is clearly defined in the preceding context. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "it was grateful" when referring to people. Gratitude is a feeling typically associated with sentient beings. For human subjects, use phrases like "they were grateful" or "he/she was grateful" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was grateful" functions as a statement of gratitude or appreciation on behalf of an entity. Ludwig shows it's often used in news reports or official statements to indicate thankfulness for support or assistance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was grateful" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express thankfulness, primarily by non-human entities. As verified by Ludwig, it commonly appears in news and media contexts, signaling an organization's appreciation for something. While generally neutral in tone, its usage should be carefully considered to avoid misattribution to human subjects. Remember to clearly define the 'it' to prevent ambiguity. Consider using alternatives like "it was thankful" or "it expressed appreciation" depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was appreciative

Replaces "grateful" with a direct synonym, maintaining the same level of formality.

it was thankful

Another direct synonym for "grateful", interchangeable in most contexts.

it was glad

Expresses happiness and pleasure, a close emotion to gratitude.

it was obliged

Indicates a sense of duty or being indebted, carrying a slightly more formal tone.

it felt grateful

Emphasizes the feeling of gratitude, rather than a statement of being grateful.

it showed gratitude

Shifts the focus to the demonstration of thankfulness.

it expressed appreciation

More formal way of saying "it was grateful", suitable for business or official contexts.

it was indebted

Highlights a sense of obligation arising from gratitude.

it acknowledged the favor

More formal and focuses on the act of recognizing the kindness.

it was beholden

Indicates a state of being obligated or indebted to someone.

FAQs

What does "it was grateful" mean?

The phrase "it was grateful" expresses that something, often an organization or entity, felt or expressed thankfulness or appreciation for something.

When is it appropriate to use "it was grateful"?

It's appropriate when referring to a non-human entity, such as a company or committee, expressing thanks. For humans, use "he/she/they were grateful".

What can I say instead of "it was grateful"?

You can use alternatives like "it was thankful", "it was appreciative", or "it expressed appreciation" depending on the context.

Is "it was grateful" formal or informal?

The phrase "it was grateful" is generally neutral in tone and suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although alternatives like "it expressed appreciation" may be more appropriate for formal settings.