they were satisfied

USAGE SUMMARY

"they were satisfied" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it anytime you want to convey that someone was happy or pleased with something. For example, "After a long negotiation, they were satisfied with the outcome of the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not that they were satisfied.

The Guardian - Travel

"When we played, they were satisfied".

The New Yorker

They were satisfied "to satisfy themselves".

The New Yorker

Only 12 percent said they were satisfied.

The New York Times

Once they were satisfied, they left.

The Washington Post

The Jets maintained that they were satisfied.

The New York Times - Sports

If these were the aspirations, then they were satisfied.

The New York Times - Arts

Ministers said they were satisfied with the quality of marking.

The Guardian

Still, the Khans insisted, they were satisfied with this situation.

The New York Times - Magazine

The Islamic parties said they were satisfied with the strike.

The New York Times

"The Americans said they were satisfied," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were satisfied" to clearly communicate a state of contentment or fulfillment. Ensure the context makes it clear what they were satisfied with.

Common error

Ensure that the subject and object of satisfaction are clear to avoid confusion. For example, instead of "They were satisfied," specify "They were satisfied with the results".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were satisfied" functions as a descriptive statement indicating that a group of people experienced a feeling of contentment or fulfillment. According to Ludwig AI, this expression is valid and readily usable in various writing contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Academia

9%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were satisfied" is a common and grammatically sound way to express contentment or fulfillment among a group of people. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts. Its frequent use in News & Media underscores its neutrality and widespread applicability. To ensure clarity, always specify what caused their satisfaction. While synonyms like "they were content" or "they were pleased" can be used, "they were satisfied" directly communicates that needs or expectations were met.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were content

Replaces "satisfied" with a synonym indicating a state of peaceful happiness.

they were pleased

Substitutes "satisfied" with a synonym that emphasizes delight or gratification.

they were happy with it

Rephrases the sentence to highlight the subject's happiness regarding a specific thing.

they felt gratified

Uses a more formal synonym of "satisfied" to convey a sense of deep satisfaction.

they found it acceptable

Expresses satisfaction by indicating that something met their standards or requirements.

they were comfortable with that

Indicates a feeling of ease and acceptance, suggesting satisfaction with the situation.

they considered it adequate

Conveys a sense of satisfaction by stating that something met the minimum necessary requirements.

they approved of it

Implies satisfaction through an expression of approval or endorsement.

they had no complaints

Expresses satisfaction indirectly by stating the absence of any negative feedback.

they accepted the result

Suggests a passive form of satisfaction by indicating agreement with the outcome.

FAQs

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

Use "they were satisfied" to indicate that a group of people experienced contentment or fulfillment. For example, "After the negotiations, "they were satisfied" with the agreement".

What's a less formal alternative to "they were satisfied"?

Less formal alternatives include "they were happy" or "they were okay with it". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

What can I say instead of "they were satisfied" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, consider using "they were gratified" or "they found it acceptable". These options add a layer of sophistication to your writing.

How does "they were satisfied" differ from "they were content"?

While both phrases express positive feelings, "they were satisfied" often implies that specific needs or expectations were met. "They were content" generally indicates a more general state of peaceful happiness.