was much enjoyed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was much enjoyed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something was greatly appreciated or liked by someone in the past. Example: "The concert last night was much enjoyed by all attendees, who praised the performers for their talent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This was much enjoyed.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Even so, there was much enjoy in the Illinois group's homogenous choral blend, crisp articulation and virtuoso en semble technique.

The New York Times

Crichton, by his own admission, was much enjoying the seductively gentle drift towards obscurity that had begun for him in the late Seventies.

The Guardian - Books

The rich desserts and amiable conversations after the concert were much enjoyed by all.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

These space operas on a galactic scale were much enjoyed by readers.

The Guardian

Occasional visits to their grandparents, who lived in luxury, were much enjoyed and the children never realized how hard-hearted they were.

The New Yorker

Last year we substituted the Vaughan Williams Sea Songs which were much enjoyed and this year we are marking the Handel anniversary with a special Fireworks performance leading into Rule Britannia.

BBC

Mirrored toys are much enjoyed by many conures but be careful as mirror toys can create behavioral problems in some birds; use it in moderation.

WikiHow

But there was much to enjoy elsewhere.

The New York Times - Arts

Still, there was much to enjoy in this youthful evening.

The New York Times - Arts

Though there was much to enjoy in brassy outbursts, any kind of detail was scarce.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs or more descriptive adjectives to replace "enjoyed" for a more impactful sentence, such as "cherished", "reveled in", or "savored".

Common error

Avoid using "was much enjoyed" when you actually intend to express active enjoyment. For example, instead of "The concert was much enjoyed by us", write "We much enjoyed the concert" to make the sentence more direct and active.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was much enjoyed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something received a high degree of appreciation or pleasure. Ludwig's examples show it describing positive receptions of events, items, or experiences. This usage highlights the receiver of the enjoyment rather than the source.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was much enjoyed" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to express that something was well-received or appreciated. While Ludwig AI indicates it's correct and usable, its frequency is rare; therefore, using stronger synonyms can enhance writing. It's mostly found in News & Media sources and can be effectively used in formal and informal contexts. When using the phrase, make sure the subject is clear, to highlight who or what did the enjoying. Alternatives like "was greatly appreciated" and "was well received" can offer more impactful synonyms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was greatly appreciated

Replaces "enjoyed" with "appreciated", emphasizing gratitude and positive reception.

was thoroughly enjoyed

Adds "thoroughly" to intensify the enjoyment, suggesting a complete and satisfying experience.

was well-received

Focuses on the positive reception of something, highlighting its acceptance and favorable response.

was highly valued

Shifts the emphasis to the value placed on something, suggesting it was regarded as important and beneficial.

was warmly welcomed

Emphasizes the friendly and positive reception, suggesting enthusiasm and hospitality.

was a great success

Focuses on the successful outcome and positive results, implying enjoyment as a consequence.

was a delightful experience

Highlights the pleasant and enjoyable nature of the experience, emphasizing its positive qualities.

was found to be pleasurable

Formal alternative, indicating that something was discovered to be enjoyable or satisfying.

was met with enthusiasm

Indicates a high level of positive response and excitement, emphasizing the audience's positive reaction.

was a source of great pleasure

Focuses on the origin of the enjoyment, suggesting something brought happiness and satisfaction.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was much enjoyed" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "was greatly appreciated", "was highly valued", or "was well received". These options convey a similar meaning with a more professional or sophisticated nuance.

What's a more active way to express the same idea as "was much enjoyed"?

Instead of the passive voice "was much enjoyed", use an active construction. For example, instead of "The performance was much enjoyed by the audience", say "The audience greatly enjoyed the performance".

Is it correct to say "is much enjoyed" instead of "was much enjoyed"?

The correct tense depends on the context. "Is much enjoyed" implies something is currently and generally enjoyed, while "was much enjoyed" refers to past enjoyment. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the time frame you're describing. For example, "This park is much enjoyed by families" vs. "The picnic was much enjoyed by everyone".

What are some alternatives to "was much enjoyed" for describing food?

When describing food, alternatives to "was much enjoyed" include "was delicious", "was savory", or "was delectable". These adjectives offer more specific and vivid descriptions of the food's qualities.