was delighted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was delighted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a feeling of great pleasure or joy about something that has happened in the past. Example: "She was delighted to receive the news of her promotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Obama was delighted: "Daughters!

The New Yorker

"I was delighted," he said.

The New York Times

I was delighted to accept.

BBC

"She was delighted," said Barritt.

BBC

"I was delighted to score.

BBC

I was delighted, of course".

BBC

"I was delighted," Graves remembers.

Huffington Post

My mother was delighted".

The New York Times

Dunleavy was delighted.

The New Yorker

Mr. Ford was delighted.

The New York Times

I was delighted.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was delighted" to express genuine happiness or satisfaction about a past event or situation. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language.

Common error

While "was delighted" is versatile, avoid overusing it in highly formal writing where more sophisticated alternatives like "was gratified" or "felt a sense of accomplishment" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was delighted" functions as a verbal phrase expressing a past state of happiness or satisfaction. It connects a subject with a feeling of pleasure, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples such as "Obama was delighted: 'Daughters!'".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was delighted" is a common and versatile phrase used to express happiness or satisfaction about a past event. As shown by Ludwig, the expression is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in formality, it's advisable to consider more sophisticated alternatives in highly formal writing. Given Ludwig's AI response status, the phrase is deemed correct and usable in written English and the user can confidently use it. Related phrases such as "was thrilled" or "was very pleased" offer nuanced alternatives to convey slightly different shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was thrilled

Expresses a strong feeling of excitement and pleasure, similar to delighted but potentially more intense.

was overjoyed

Indicates extreme happiness and elation, a stronger emotion than simply being delighted.

was very pleased

A more formal way of expressing happiness, suitable for professional or polite contexts.

was extremely happy

A direct and straightforward way to state a feeling of happiness.

was gratified

Suggests a feeling of satisfaction and contentment, often after an effort or achievement.

was elated

Implies a high degree of joy and excitement, often associated with a specific event or outcome.

was captivated

Suggests being charmed or fascinated, leading to a feeling of delight.

was enchanted

Implies a magical or mystical charm leading to delight.

was charmed

Suggests being pleased by someone's personality or actions.

felt great pleasure

Emphasizes the feeling of enjoyment and satisfaction experienced.

FAQs

How can I use "was delighted" in a sentence?

You can use "was delighted" to express joy or satisfaction about a past event. For example, "She was delighted to receive the award" or "They were delighted with the results of the project".

What are some alternatives to "was delighted"?

Some alternatives include "was thrilled", "was overjoyed", "was very pleased", or "was gratified". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "was delighted" formal or informal?

"Was delighted" is generally considered neutral in formality. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferable in certain situations. For example a business source may prefer "was very pleased".

What's the difference between "was delighted" and "was happy"?

"Was delighted" suggests a greater level of pleasure or satisfaction than "was happy". While "was happy" simply indicates a positive emotional state, "was delighted" implies a stronger feeling of joy or gratification.