pleased

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pleased" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express satisfaction or happiness about something. Example: "I am pleased to announce that we have successfully completed the project ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We work very hard and I am just pleased our vote held up.

The Guardian

He seemed pleased.

The Guardian - Opinion

Tory MPs are rattled (Lib Dems pleased) by the postponement to 2016 of Trident's replacement.

The Guardian - Opinion

I was really pleased with how the players responded".

The Guardian - Sport

Reid tells me he has been pleased to see the snowdrops and helle­bores that she planted have survived the recent snow.

The Guardian - Books

A Tehran resident who works for an electronics company said that many businesses which rely on goods and materials from abroad would be pleased with the outcome of the talks.

The Guardian

And while Holland conceded some regret at the passing of these passions, he is pleased that most fans are not "so blinkered any more".

The Guardian - Music

"Anyone who invested in a stocks and shares Isa in March 2003 should be very pleased with their return.

The Guardian - Money

Engulfed by reporters and photographers, he said he was pleased he had enjoyed "a dignified return to Britain" and asked that the "injustice and abuse of process" ends with a fair trial and some "breathing space to work on the case".

The Guardian - Business

"We are loaning a player of huge potential, again we had to fight off several other Premier League clubs to get him, so we are very pleased.

The Guardian - Sport

While the Tories will be pleased by the narrowing of the gap with Labour, the party's inability to push its own tally up higher to a point where it could entertain the prospect of an overall Commons majority will be a worry, particularly after a rush of good economic news.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase 'pleased with' to express satisfaction with a specific item or accomplishment. For instance, 'I'm very pleased with the results of the experiment.'

Common error

While "pleased" is a versatile term, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations. Opt for more informal alternatives like "happy" or "glad" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pleased" is as an adjective, often used to describe a state of happiness or satisfaction. As evidenced by Ludwig, it commonly follows linking verbs like "is", "was", or "seem", indicating a state of being. It can also function as part of a participial adjective phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "pleased" functions primarily as an adjective to express satisfaction or happiness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It is commonly found in news, sports, and business contexts, indicating a formal to neutral register. While versatile, it's best to reserve "pleased" for situations where a degree of formality is appropriate, and consider alternatives like "happy" or "glad" in more casual settings. Its high frequency and presence in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times underscore its established place in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

happy

A general term for feeling or expressing joy or contentment; less formal than "pleased" in some contexts.

satisfied

Implies fulfillment of expectations or needs; emphasizes contentment with a specific outcome.

content

Suggests a state of peaceful happiness and satisfaction; often used to describe a lasting feeling.

delighted

Expresses a high degree of pleasure or joy; more emphatic than "pleased".

thrilled

Indicates intense excitement and pleasure; a stronger emotional response than "pleased".

gratified

Implies a feeling of satisfaction resulting from having one's desires or needs fulfilled.

contented

Similar to "content", but can also imply a lack of desire for anything more.

glad

A simple expression of happiness or pleasure; often used in informal contexts.

cheerful

Implies a bright and optimistic disposition; focuses more on demeanor than feeling.

in good spirits

Suggests a positive mood or attitude; often used to describe someone's overall state of mind.

FAQs

How can I use "pleased" in a formal sentence?

You can use "pleased" in formal sentences to express satisfaction or gratitude. For example, "I am pleased to accept your invitation" or "The company is pleased to announce record profits this quarter".

What's a more casual alternative to "pleased"?

In more casual settings, you can use alternatives like "happy", "glad", or "satisfied" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "pleased to meet you"?

Yes, "pleased to meet you" is a polite and standard greeting used when meeting someone for the first time. It expresses your satisfaction at making the acquaintance.

What is the difference between "pleased with" and "pleased to"?

"Pleased with" is used to express satisfaction about something, such as "I am pleased with the results". "Pleased to" is used to express willingness or happiness to do something, such as "I am pleased to help you with that".