they were overjoyed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were overjoyed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a strong feeling of happiness or joy in response to a positive event or news. Example: "When they heard they had won the lottery, they were overjoyed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Understandably, they were overjoyed.

The New York Times - Arts

They were overjoyed.

The Guardian

They were "overjoyed," he said.

The New York Times

They were overjoyed when Mr Fukuda took over after a year.

The Economist

They were overjoyed when Mr Fukuda succeeded Mr Abe after a year.

The Economist

The caption can say, "They were overjoyed with the news," while showing an image of crying people.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

They are overjoyed that they are nine.

The Guardian

Dog owners in the neighborhood say they are overjoyed to have a place that welcomes their pets as much as their cash.

The New York Times

The reality is, that joy is the same joy that you see when you peek over the shoulder of a kid who has a smartphone in their hands in the developed world, which is to say they're overjoyed because they're playing Angry Birds.

MIT Technology Review

Something meets boy, and something meets girl and they both look the same and they're overjoyed in this world.

TechCrunch

People living on an estate in Hoxton, east London, have said they are overjoyed its future for them has been saved.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were overjoyed" to express genuine and strong happiness, especially when describing a reaction to positive news or events. This phrase adds emotional depth to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "they were overjoyed" excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "they were thrilled" or "they were delighted" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were overjoyed" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating the emotional state of a group of people. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase effectively conveys a strong feeling of happiness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

13%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were overjoyed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to depict a group's strong happiness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. It's most commonly found in news and media, followed by academic and scientific contexts. While versatile, writers should avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "they were thrilled" or "they were delighted" for variety. The phrase carries a neutral tone, fitting for diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were ecstatic

Emphasizes an even greater level of joy and excitement.

they were thrilled

Suggests a strong feeling of pleasure and excitement.

they were delighted

Indicates a high degree of pleasure and satisfaction.

they were elated

Implies a feeling of great happiness and triumph.

they were jubilant

Conveys a sense of triumphant joy and celebration.

they were very happy

A more general expression of happiness.

they were pleased

A milder expression of satisfaction.

they were in high spirits

Focuses on the cheerful mood and energy.

they were on cloud nine

An idiomatic expression indicating extreme happiness.

they were walking on air

Another idiomatic expression suggesting great happiness and lightness of spirit.

FAQs

What does "they were overjoyed" mean?

The phrase "they were overjoyed" means that a group of people experienced a strong feeling of happiness or elation in response to something positive.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "they were overjoyed"?

It's appropriate to use "they were overjoyed" when you want to convey a significant level of happiness and excitement that a group of people felt. It's suitable for describing reactions to good news, successful outcomes, or pleasant surprises.

What are some alternatives to "they were overjoyed"?

You can use alternatives like "they were ecstatic", "they were thrilled", or "they were delighted" to express similar feelings of happiness and excitement.

Is "they were overjoyed" formal or informal?

"They were overjoyed" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal expression. It can be used in both written and spoken contexts, but it's more common in formal writing or when conveying a significant level of happiness.