was not pleased

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not pleased" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express dissatisfaction or disappointment regarding a situation or action. Example: "She was not pleased with the outcome of the meeting and expressed her concerns to the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Father was not pleased.

The New York Times

K.S.M. was not pleased.

The New Yorker

He was not pleased.

The New York Times - Food

Doris Gillick was not pleased.

The New York Times - Sports

Matz was not pleased.

The New York Times - Sports

Trump was not pleased.

The Washington Post

His girlfriend was not pleased.

The New York Times

The author was not pleased.

The New Yorker

The church was not pleased.

The Economist

The Comintern was not pleased.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This thought was not pleasing to him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience when using "was not pleased". It works well in both formal and informal contexts but ensure the tone matches your intention.

Common error

Avoid overuse. While grammatically sound, relying too heavily on "was not pleased" and similar passive constructions can make your writing seem weak. Mix in active voice for a more dynamic style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not pleased" functions as a statement expressing a negative sentiment or reaction. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, indicating its role in conveying disapproval or disappointment. It serves to communicate that someone experienced a lack of satisfaction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was not pleased" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey disapproval or disappointment. Ludwig AI indicates it's a valid phrase in English. It's particularly prevalent in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the tone and audience, opting for more formal alternatives in certain situations. Overuse of the passive voice should be avoided for stronger writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was unhappy

A more direct and simpler way to convey the same sentiment of not being pleased.

was dissatisfied

Emphasizes a lack of satisfaction with a situation or outcome.

felt displeased

Highlights the internal feeling of displeasure, similar to the original phrase.

was less than thrilled

A more understated, yet still clear, way of expressing displeasure.

did not appreciate

Highlights a lack of valuing or finding something acceptable.

showed disapproval

Focuses on the outward expression of negative sentiment, rather than the internal feeling.

registered discontent

A formal way of saying someone showed their unhappiness.

expressed dissatisfaction

Replaces "was not pleased" with a more formal expression indicating discontent.

took exception to

Suggests a stronger, more argumentative form of disagreement or displeasure.

frowned upon

Indicates disapproval from a position of authority or social norm.

FAQs

How can I use "was not pleased" in a sentence?

You can use "was not pleased" to express dissatisfaction or disappointment. For example, "The client "was not pleased" with the final product and requested revisions."

What are some alternatives to "was not pleased"?

Alternatives include "was unhappy", "was dissatisfied", or "did not appreciate", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "was not pleased" or "was displeased"?

"Was displeased" is a more formal and less common alternative to "was not pleased". Both are grammatically correct, but "was not pleased" is often perceived as more natural in everyday conversation.

Can "was not pleased" be used in both formal and informal writing?

Yes, "was not pleased" can be used in both formal and informal writing, but consider the context. In very formal settings, you might opt for alternatives like "expressed dissatisfaction" or "registered discontent".