was grateful for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was grateful for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express appreciation or thankfulness for something that has been received or experienced. Example: "She was grateful for the support her friends provided during her difficult times."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

I was grateful for it.

The New Yorker

I was grateful for the thought.

The New York Times

But I was grateful for it.

The New York Times

She was grateful for the opportunity.

The New York Times

Putin was grateful for his Dresden posting.

The New Yorker

Mr. Forester was grateful for this kindness.

The New Yorker

Zambia's government was grateful for the venture.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

I am grateful for that.

The New York Times

"I'm grateful for sun.

The New Yorker

I'm grateful for them.

The New York Times

(I'm grateful for one).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was grateful for" to express genuine appreciation, particularly when acknowledging specific actions or gifts. For a more impactful statement, follow it with an explanation of why you were grateful.

Common error

Avoid using "was grateful for" as a passive way to avoid taking action. Gratitude should inspire reciprocity or positive behavior. Don't just be grateful; show it through your actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was grateful for" functions as a declarative expression of thankfulness or appreciation. According to Ludwig, this phrase is used to convey a feeling of gratitude for a specific thing, action, or situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was grateful for" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express thankfulness or appreciation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various contexts. While alternatives like "appreciated" and "felt thankful for" exist, "was grateful for" effectively conveys a sincere sentiment. The key is to use it genuinely and follow through with actions that reflect your gratitude, avoiding passive expressions of thankfulness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

felt thankful for

Replaces "grateful" with "thankful", a synonym with a slightly softer tone.

felt appreciative of

Similar to "felt thankful for" but emphasizes a deeper sense of appreciation.

appreciated

A concise alternative that conveys thankfulness without the need for "was" and "for".

expressed gratitude for

Uses a more formal and emphatic expression of thankfulness.

acknowledged with gratitude

Highlights the act of recognizing something and expressing thankfulness for it.

was thankful to receive

Highlights the act of receiving something with gratitude.

showed gratitude toward

Focuses on the act of demonstrating thankfulness to someone or something.

was in appreciation of

Expresses gratitude in a more formal and sometimes literary way.

cherished the opportunity to

Expresses gratitude by emphasizing the value and importance of the experience or chance.

held dear

Implies a deep sense of appreciation and value for something.

FAQs

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

The phrase "was grateful for" is used to express thankfulness for something. For example, "She was grateful for the support she received during her illness."

What's a more concise way to say "was grateful for"?

You could use the word "appreciated" as a more concise alternative. For instance, instead of "I was grateful for the help", you could say "I appreciated the help".

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

While "was grateful for" expresses thankfulness for something, "am grateful to" typically expresses thankfulness to someone. They are both correct but used in slightly different contexts. Consider using "am grateful to" when acknowledging a person.

What are some synonyms for "was grateful for"?

Some synonyms include "felt thankful for", "felt appreciative of", and "expressed gratitude for". The choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.