they were contented

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were contented" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of satisfaction or happiness regarding a situation or outcome. Example: "After a long day of work, they were contented with their achievements and ready to relax."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Of those that reported to have been satisfied, with the ANC services, 46% expressed no reason why they were contented, while 37.3% were fulfilled by existence of friendly healthcare personnel; 9.2% by the healthcare services themselves; and 7.5% by the presence of medicines.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"They were content-oriented message meisters," he said.

The New York Times

I felt that they were content with my imprisonment.

The New Yorker

For now they were content to exchange pleasantries.

The Guardian - Sport

Francine did not sleep with them, and they were content just to be in her aura.

The New Yorker

But I was never convinced that they were content with that position.

The Guardian

But White House officials said they were content with the creation of the commission.

The New York Times

"They were content to let the other companies come first," Ms. Verber said.

The New York Times

At first they were content to noodle on their guitars in each other's homes.

The New York Times

Some shopowners in the Paris quarter said they were content with keeping their old customers.

The New York Times

Sandy Montag, who represents them, said they were content, satisfied men now.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "they were satisfied" as a more common and readily understood alternative to "they were contented", especially in informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "they were contented" excessively in formal writing; opt for stronger or more precise synonyms that better convey the specific nuance of satisfaction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were contented" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating a state of satisfaction or contentment experienced by a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and describes a feeling of fulfillment.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were contented" is a grammatically correct way to express that a group of people felt satisfied or happy. While confirmed to be correct by Ludwig AI, it is not as commonly used as alternatives like "they were satisfied" or "they were happy". Its usage is somewhat more formal and appears in news, media, and scientific contexts. When writing, consider the audience and context to determine if a more common synonym would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were satisfied

Uses a more common synonym for 'contented'.

they were pleased

Emphasizes a feeling of mild happiness or gratification.

they were happy with that

More direct and commonly used expression of satisfaction.

they felt content

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the feeling of contentment.

they were fulfilled

Suggests a deeper sense of satisfaction and purpose.

they were in good spirits

Indicates a positive and cheerful state of mind.

they were at peace

Implies a sense of calm and tranquility.

they harbored no complaints

Highlights the absence of dissatisfaction or grievances.

they had no objections

Focuses on the lack of opposition or disagreement.

they were quite cheerful

Emphasizes a noticeable display of happiness and optimism.

FAQs

What does "they were contented" mean?

The phrase "they were contented" means that a group of people experienced a state of satisfaction or happiness with a particular situation, outcome, or condition.

What can I say instead of "they were contented"?

You can use alternatives like "they were satisfied", "they were pleased", or "they were happy" depending on the context.

Is "they were contented" formal or informal?

"They were contented" leans towards being slightly more formal. In everyday conversation, "they were happy" or "they were satisfied" might sound more natural.

How can I use "they were contented" in a sentence?

You might say, "After a long day's work, they reviewed their accomplishments and found that "they were satisfied" with the progress made, feeling contented with the outcome."