was pleased to

USAGE SUMMARY

"was pleased to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing that someone or something is glad or contented about a particular thing. For example: "The teacher was pleased to hear that her students had passed their exams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Not everyone was pleased to see him.

Independent

I was pleased to see Lundqvist exalted.

The New Yorker

She was pleased to see him laughing.

The New York Times

I was pleased to learn that.

The New York Times

Ivanovic was pleased to have escaped.

The New York Times - Sports

Halsey was pleased to hear that.

The New York Times - Sports

Belacqua was pleased to see him.

The Guardian - Books

And I was pleased to see him.

The New York Times

"I was pleased to get United.

The Guardian - Sport

Still, Welsh was pleased to have got an invitation.

The New Yorker

Dr Rodrigues was pleased to discover it did.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was pleased to" to convey a moderate level of satisfaction or contentment. Avoid overusing it if a stronger emotion is more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "was pleased to" when the context calls for a stronger expression of joy or excitement. Alternatives like "was thrilled to" or "was delighted to" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was pleased to" functions as a verb phrase expressing a state of satisfaction or contentment. It typically introduces an action or event that caused the feeling of pleasure. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was pleased to" is a versatile phrase used to express a feeling of satisfaction or contentment. Ludwig AI validates that the phrase is both grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While its register is generally neutral, it is suitable for both professional and informal settings. For stronger emotions, consider using alternatives like "was delighted to" or "was thrilled to". While similar to "was happy to", the analyzed phrase is slightly more formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was happy to

A more general term expressing satisfaction, similar in meaning but potentially less formal.

was glad to

Synonymous with "was happy to", indicating a feeling of contentment or satisfaction.

was delighted to

Expresses a stronger sense of happiness or joy compared to simply being pleased.

was satisfied to

Suggests fulfillment of expectations or requirements, leading to a feeling of satisfaction.

was gratified to

Implies a deeper sense of satisfaction, often stemming from a sense of accomplishment or appreciation.

was content to

Indicates acceptance and satisfaction with a particular situation or outcome.

was thrilled to

Indicates a high level of excitement and pleasure, suggesting a more intense emotional reaction.

took pleasure in

Focuses on the enjoyment derived from something, rather than the feeling of being pleased.

was honored to

Suggests a feeling of privilege and pleasure, stemming from being given a special opportunity or recognition.

rejoiced to

Expresses great joy or delight, indicating a stronger emotional response.

FAQs

How can I use "was pleased to" in a sentence?

"Was pleased to" is used to express satisfaction or happiness about something. For example, "She was pleased to receive an apology".

What's a more formal alternative to "was pleased to"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "was gratified to" or "was satisfied to", which convey a similar meaning with a slightly more elevated tone.

What can I say instead of "was pleased to" if I want to show stronger emotions?

For stronger emotions, alternatives like "was delighted to", "was thrilled to", or "was overjoyed to" might be more fitting.

Is there a subtle difference in meaning between "was happy to" and "was pleased to"?

While similar, "was pleased to" often implies a slightly more refined or formal sense of satisfaction compared to the more general "was happy to". The choice depends on the context and desired tone.