we were delighted

USAGE SUMMARY

"we were delighted" is a perfectly grammatical and usable sentence in formal and informal written English.
For example: We were delighted to learn that our team had won the championship.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were delighted.

The Guardian

No! No, we were delighted.

Independent

Of course we were delighted.

The Guardian

We were delighted by them.

The Guardian - Books

Fudd was enraged, and we were delighted.

The New Yorker

We were delighted to have her.

The Guardian

"We were delighted with him, he worked really well.

The Guardian - Sport

"We were delighted with their involvement with us.

The New York Times

"We were delighted to be a part of this.

The New York Times

We were delighted with nearly every dish sampled.

The New York Times

"Of course, we were delighted to do so".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an achievement or positive result, follow "we were delighted" with an explanation of why you feel this way to add depth and clarity.

Common error

While "we were delighted" is perfectly acceptable, reserve it for situations where a more formal or sincere expression of happiness is appropriate. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives like "we were happy" or "we were thrilled" may be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were delighted" functions as an expression of pleasure or satisfaction. It is typically used to communicate a positive reaction to a specific event, outcome, or piece of news. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were delighted" is a versatile phrase used to express pleasure, satisfaction, or gratitude in response to a positive event or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It's most frequently found in news reports and other media, scientific publications, and formal business communications. While appropriate for many situations, be mindful of overusing it in informal settings where simpler alternatives like "we were happy" or "we were thrilled" might be more fitting. Remember to follow it up with an explanation of why you feel that way to enrich your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were thrilled

Replaces "delighted" with "thrilled", indicating a high level of excitement.

we were very pleased

Substitutes "delighted" with "very pleased", conveying strong satisfaction.

we were gratified

Replaces "delighted" with "gratified", suggesting a feeling of satisfaction and gratitude.

we were overjoyed

Substitutes "delighted" with "overjoyed", indicating extreme happiness.

we were elated

Replaces "delighted" with "elated", suggesting great happiness and exhilaration.

we were ecstatic

Substitutes "delighted" with "ecstatic", conveying a state of intense joy.

we were happy

A simpler alternative to "we were delighted", expressing basic happiness.

we felt great pleasure

Changes the structure to express the feeling of pleasure directly.

we took great satisfaction

Expresses satisfaction through a different verb and noun combination.

it pleased us greatly

Inverts the sentence structure to emphasize what caused the pleasure.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "we were delighted"?

You can use alternatives like "we were thrilled", "we were very pleased", or "we were gratified" depending on the context.

How to use "we were delighted" in a sentence?

"We were delighted" is typically followed by "to + verb" (e.g., "We were delighted to hear the news") or "with + noun phrase" (e.g., "We were delighted with the results").

Is "we were delighted" formal or informal?

"We were delighted" is generally considered to be semi-formal to formal, conveying a stronger sense of pleasure and satisfaction than simpler alternatives. Save it for professional communications or special occasions.

When is it appropriate to use "we were delighted"?

Use "we were delighted" to express sincere happiness and satisfaction, particularly in professional settings, thank-you notes, or when acknowledging achievements. Avoid using it in extremely casual or informal conversations.