they were pleased

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were pleased" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express satisfaction or happiness about something that has occurred or been presented. Example: "After reviewing the proposal, they were pleased with the thoroughness and attention to detail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But they were pleased.

The New Yorker

Of course, they were pleased.

The New York Times

Officials said they were pleased.

The Guardian

In fact, they were pleased.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, the legislators said they were pleased.

The New York Times - Tech

City officials said they were pleased.

The New York Times

Band members said they were pleased.

The New York Times - Arts

Still, Hancock executives said they were pleased.

The New York Times

Several people said they were pleased by the turnout.

The New York Times

"They were pleased" with what they saw, he said.

The New York Times

"They were pleased to hear that," Mr. Shaw said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were pleased", ensure the context clearly indicates what caused their satisfaction. Provide specific details to avoid ambiguity and enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "they were pleased" as a generic response. Always specify the reason for their pleasure to maintain engagement and provide meaningful information to your reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were pleased" primarily functions as a descriptive statement, indicating the emotional state of a group of people. It showcases their positive reaction to a specific situation, event, or outcome. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a clear and direct way to express satisfaction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were pleased" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the satisfaction of a group of people. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples of its usage, predominantly within News & Media. While its usage is widespread and accepted, clarity is crucial; ensure to specify what exactly caused their pleasure to avoid ambiguity. Consider using alternatives like "they were satisfied" or "they were delighted" to add nuance to your writing. By adhering to best practices and avoiding common errors, you can effectively communicate positive sentiments in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were satisfied

Uses a different adjective to express a feeling of contentment, focusing on fulfillment of expectations rather than delight.

they were delighted

Conveys a higher degree of happiness and joy compared to simply being pleased.

they were happy about it

Adds specificity by including "about it", making the object of their happiness explicit.

they expressed their satisfaction

Emphasizes the act of communicating their positive feelings rather than the feeling itself.

they found it satisfactory

Shifts the focus to their assessment of something as meeting their standards.

they approved of it

Indicates a formal endorsement or acceptance, which is more specific than general pleasure.

it met their approval

Changes the sentence structure to highlight that their approval was achieved.

they welcomed it

Suggests an acceptance or embrace of something, indicating a positive reception.

they were content

Emphasizes a state of peace and ease with the situation, implying a sense of acceptance.

they were in agreement

Implies a consensus or shared understanding, suggesting alignment in perspective.

FAQs

What does "they were pleased" mean?

The phrase "they were pleased" indicates that a group of people experienced satisfaction, happiness, or approval regarding a particular event, outcome, or situation. It conveys a positive sentiment.

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

Use "they were pleased" to describe a group's reaction to a positive development. For example, "After the presentation, "they were pleased" with the positive feedback from the audience."

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

You can use alternatives like "they were satisfied", "they were delighted", or "they were happy" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "they were pleased with" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they were pleased with" is grammatically correct. It's often followed by the specific thing or aspect that caused their satisfaction, such as ""they were pleased" with the results".