was grateful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was grateful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express appreciation or thankfulness for something that has happened in the past. Example: "After receiving the unexpected help from my colleagues, I was grateful for their support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And I was grateful.

The New York Times

I was grateful.

The New York Times

But I was grateful.

The New York Times

I was grateful for it.

The New Yorker

He was grateful.

The New York Times

Mr. Zotian was grateful.

The New York Times

"I knew he was grateful.

The New York Times

For that, I was grateful.

The New York Times - Sports

And the waitress was grateful.

The New York Times

"Last week she was grateful.

The Guardian - Books

(Washington was grateful; Adams resentful).

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was grateful" to clearly express thankfulness for a specific action or situation. Ensure the context makes it clear to whom or what the gratitude is directed.

Common error

Avoid using "was grateful" without specifying what you are grateful for. Always clarify the source or reason for your gratitude to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was grateful" functions as a verb phrase expressing a state of thankfulness or appreciation for a past event or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was grateful" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to convey thankfulness for something that occurred in the past. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media contexts, with neutral formality. Remember to be specific about what or whom you are grateful for to avoid ambiguity. Consider using alternatives like "felt thankful" or "was appreciative" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was thankful

A more concise synonym.

felt thankful

Emphasizes the emotion experienced.

was appreciative

Highlights a sense of recognition and value.

expressed gratitude

Focuses on the act of showing thankfulness.

felt indebted

Suggests a feeling of obligation due to kindness.

was obliged

Implies a formal sense of gratitude.

acknowledged with thanks

Highlights the act of recognizing something with gratitude.

held in appreciation

Emphasizes a lasting sense of value and gratitude.

valued the kindness

Focuses on the specific act of kindness received.

was pleased

Suggests satisfaction in addition to gratitude.

FAQs

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

You can use "was grateful" to express appreciation for something that happened in the past. For example, "I was grateful for the opportunity to learn from her."

What are some alternatives to "was grateful"?

Alternatives include "felt thankful", "was appreciative", or "expressed gratitude". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I am grateful" instead of "I was grateful"?

Yes, both are correct, but they refer to different timeframes. "I am grateful" expresses present gratitude, while "I was grateful" expresses gratitude for something that happened in the past.

What's the difference between "was grateful for" and "was grateful to"?

"Was grateful for" is used to express thankfulness for a thing or situation, while "was grateful to" is used to express thankfulness to a person. For example, "I was grateful for the help" versus "I was grateful to my friend".