she was grateful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'she was grateful' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it any time you want to indicate that someone was thankful, appreciative, or pleased in response to something. For example: "When her classmates presented her with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, she was grateful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She was grateful.

The Washington Post

She was grateful for the opportunity.

The New York Times

"Last week she was grateful.

The Guardian - Books

She was grateful to return home.

The New Yorker

McGhee not only understood; she was grateful.

The Washington Post

Still, she was grateful to be alive.

The Guardian

She was grateful, but her tasks were intensely local.

The New York Times

Ms. Atkins said she was grateful for the job.

The New York Times - Arts

She was grateful that there are still buyers for that.

The New York Times

"Everything other people complain about, she was grateful for".

The New York Times

Day said she was grateful for Saturday's event.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she was grateful" to express genuine appreciation for something received or experienced. It conveys a sense of thankfulness and positive sentiment.

Common error

Avoid using "she was grateful" sarcastically or ironically, as it can confuse the reader and undermine the intended message. Ensure the context aligns with genuine thankfulness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was grateful" functions as a declarative statement expressing a feeling of thankfulness or appreciation. Ludwig examples show it's used to describe a positive emotional response.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she was grateful" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase to express thankfulness. According to Ludwig, the phrase is commonly used in News & Media. It is suitable for various contexts and conveys a sense of appreciation. While alternatives exist to adjust the tone or emphasize specific aspects of gratitude, "she was grateful" remains a versatile and reliable choice. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she was appreciative

A more formal synonym for grateful.

she felt thankful

Highlights the internal feeling of gratitude.

she offered her thanks

Focuses on the verbal expression of gratitude.

she expressed her gratitude

Emphasizes the act of expressing thankfulness explicitly.

she was filled with gratitude

Emphasizes the intensity of the feeling of thankfulness.

she showed her appreciation

Focuses on demonstrating thankfulness through actions or words.

she valued the gesture

Focuses on the positive evaluation of the action received.

she counted her blessings

Implies reflecting on the good things one has received and feeling grateful.

she acknowledged her indebtedness

Emphasizes a sense of obligation due to the kindness received.

she was indebted

Highlights a sense of obligation towards the giver.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "she was grateful" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could say "she was appreciative", "she expressed her gratitude", or "she acknowledged her indebtedness".

What are some common situations where you might say "she was grateful"?

This phrase is commonly used when someone receives a gift, help, or a kind gesture. It's appropriate in situations where expressing thankfulness is fitting.

Is there a difference between saying "she was grateful" and "she felt grateful"?

While both phrases convey thankfulness, "she felt grateful" emphasizes the internal emotion, whereas "she was grateful" is a more general statement of appreciation. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the emotion specifically.

What can I say instead of "she was grateful" to emphasize action or expression?

Consider using alternatives like "she showed her appreciation" or "she offered her thanks" to focus on the outward demonstration of gratitude, compared to the more internal feeling described by "she was grateful".