was thrilled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was thrilled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong feeling of excitement or happiness about something that has happened in the past. Example: "She was thrilled to receive the news of her promotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Queen was thrilled.

The New Yorker

But Bottura was thrilled.

The New Yorker

She was thrilled.

The New York Times - Sports

Ms. Yu was thrilled.

The New York Times

Not everyone was thrilled.

The New York Times

Mr. Kaplin was thrilled.

The New York Times

My family was thrilled.

The New York Times

Naturally, I was thrilled.

Independent

Harroun was thrilled.

The New Yorker

Gay was thrilled".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I mean, I was thrilled".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was thrilled" to express genuine excitement or pleasure about a specific event or situation. It conveys a stronger emotion than simply saying someone was "happy" or "pleased".

Common error

While "was thrilled" is a perfectly acceptable phrase, avoid using it excessively in your writing. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "was delighted", "was overjoyed", or "was ecstatic" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was thrilled" functions as a subject complement, where "was" is a linking verb connecting the subject to the adjective "thrilled". This structure describes the state or condition of the subject, indicating they experienced a feeling of great pleasure or excitement. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage for expressing strong positive emotions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was thrilled" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe a past feeling of intense pleasure or excitement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a subject complement and is primarily employed to convey strong positive emotions. The phrase enjoys wide applicability across various contexts, particularly in news and media sources, indicating a neutral register. For those seeking alternatives, options such as "was delighted" or "was overjoyed" offer similar expressive power. While versatile, writers should avoid overuse and consider synonyms to maintain writing dynamism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was delighted

Replaces "thrilled" with a synonym emphasizing joy and pleasure.

was overjoyed

Emphasizes a stronger feeling of happiness than "thrilled".

was elated

Similar to "overjoyed", suggesting a high degree of happiness and excitement.

was ecstatic

Indicates an even more intense level of joy and delight.

was very pleased

A more formal and understated way to express satisfaction.

was on cloud nine

An idiomatic expression meaning extremely happy.

was in seventh heaven

Another idiomatic expression indicating extreme happiness and contentment.

was walking on air

An idiomatic expression conveying a feeling of lightness and happiness.

was tickled pink

An informal and idiomatic way to say someone was very pleased or amused.

was tickled to death

This idiomatic expression implies an extreme state of amusement or delight.

FAQs

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

"Was thrilled" is used to express a past feeling of great pleasure or excitement. For example: "She "was thrilled" to receive the award." or "They "were thrilled" by the positive feedback."

What are some alternatives to "was thrilled"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "was delighted", "was overjoyed", "was ecstatic", or "was very pleased".

Is "was thrilled" formal or informal?

"Was thrilled" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal settings, "was very pleased" might be a more appropriate choice.

What's the difference between "was thrilled" and "was excited"?

While both phrases express positive emotion, "was thrilled" suggests a higher degree of pleasure and excitement than "was excited". "Thrilled" implies a more intense emotional response.