she was pleased

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was pleased" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a character's reaction to a happy event, or to show that someone is satisfied with a situation or outcome. For example, "After she received an A on her English test, she was pleased with her performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

She was pleased, too.

The New York Times

Still, she was pleased.

The New York Times - Style

She was pleased to see him laughing.

The New York Times

She was pleased with Obama's Alaska message.

The Guardian

She was pleased, but the project was in limbo.

The New York Times

Ms. Shroff said she was pleased by the ruling.

The New York Times

Ms. Dwarka said she was pleased with the compromise.

The New York Times

Yet once inside, she was pleased with what she found.

The New York Times - Magazine

Summer said she was pleased with the order.

The Guardian - Music

The words calmed her stomach and she was pleased.

The Guardian - Books

But she added she was pleased progress had been made.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and choose a synonym if you want to convey a stronger emotion, such as "she was delighted" or "she was thrilled".

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "she was pleased" as it can become repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms or describing the character's emotions through their actions and expressions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was pleased" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating a state of contentment or satisfaction experienced by the subject. Ludwig examples confirm its role in conveying a positive emotional state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she was pleased" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express a feeling of satisfaction or contentment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, especially in news and media. While versatile, consider synonyms for nuanced expression and avoid overuse in descriptive writing. The phrase maintains a neutral register and clearly communicates a positive emotional state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she was satisfied

Highlights the fulfillment of a need or expectation.

she felt satisfied

Focuses more on the internal feeling of satisfaction.

she was gratified

Implies a deeper sense of satisfaction or fulfillment.

she was delighted

Conveys a higher level of joy and pleasure.

she was content

Suggests a state of peaceful satisfaction.

she was happy

A more general term for a positive emotional state.

she was thrilled

Indicates extreme excitement and pleasure.

she was appreciative

Emphasizes gratitude for something received.

she was elated

Expresses intense joy and happiness.

she was cheerful

Highlights a generally positive and optimistic disposition.

FAQs

How can I use "she was pleased" in a sentence?

You can use "she was pleased" to describe someone's feeling of satisfaction or happiness about something. For example, "She was pleased with the results of her hard work."

What are some alternatives to "she was pleased"?

Alternatives include "she was delighted", "she was satisfied", or "she was happy", depending on the context and intensity of the emotion you want to convey.

Is "she was pleased by" grammatically correct?

Yes, "she was pleased by" is grammatically correct. It indicates that something caused her pleasure. For example, "She was pleased by the thoughtful gesture."

What is the difference between "she was pleased" and "she seemed pleased"?

"She was pleased" states directly that she felt pleasure. "She seemed pleased" implies that you inferred her pleasure from her appearance or behavior, but you cannot be completely sure.