we were grateful for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were grateful for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express appreciation or thankfulness for something that has been received or experienced. Example: "After the successful event, we were grateful for all the support we received from our volunteers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"We were grateful for the news coverage.

The New York Times - Arts

At first we were grateful for the company of our guide, Changba, too.

The New York Times - Travel

We were grateful for the orders but had a terrible time filling them.

The New York Times

No one was complaining, of course: We were grateful for the space, as were our patients.

The New York Times

We were grateful for Rino's tip: tiny meat-filled ravioli served in a little individual tureen swimming in Dolcetto wine.

The New York Times - Travel

We were grateful for the loan of another bit of equipment this week from Millwall player Danny Shittu.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

"We are grateful for their leadership".

The New York Times

"We are grateful for your service.

The New York Times

We're grateful for that".

The New York Times

We are grateful for honoring his legacy.

The New York Times

"We are grateful for the opportunity.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were grateful for" to express genuine appreciation, especially when acknowledging specific acts or support. Make sure the context clearly indicates what you are thankful for.

Common error

Avoid using "we were grateful for" sarcastically or in situations where genuine gratitude is not felt or implied. Ensure your tone matches the sentiment expressed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were grateful for" functions as an expression of gratitude or appreciation. It typically introduces the specific reason or thing for which the speaker(s) are thankful. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Travel

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were grateful for" is a common and grammatically correct way to express thankfulness or appreciation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Predominantly used in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, it conveys genuine gratitude for a specific act or support. While "we appreciated" and "we were thankful for" serve as close alternatives, it's important to ensure that its usage aligns with the intended sentiment, avoiding sarcasm or inappropriate contexts. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we appreciated

Uses a simpler verb to convey the same sentiment.

we were thankful for

Replaces 'grateful' with 'thankful', maintaining the same meaning.

we were appreciative of

Uses the adjective 'appreciative' to express thankfulness.

we expressed our gratitude for

More formal way to express appreciation.

we were in your debt for

Expresses a sense of owing gratitude for a significant favor or help.

we felt indebted for

Indicates a sense of obligation due to the received benefit.

we acknowledged our appreciation for

Highlights the act of recognizing and valuing something.

we valued

Emphasizes the importance and worth assigned to something.

we recognized the value of

Highlights the recognition and acknowledgment of the importance of something.

we were pleased with

Indicates satisfaction and contentment with something received.

FAQs

How can I use "we were grateful for" in a sentence?

Use "we were grateful for" to express appreciation for something someone has done. For example, "We were grateful for the support we received during the project".

What's a more formal way to say "we were grateful for"?

A more formal alternative is "we expressed our gratitude for", which emphasizes the act of showing appreciation.

What can I say instead of "we were grateful for" in a business context?

In a business context, you can use phrases like "we acknowledged our appreciation for" or "we valued" to show professional gratitude.

Is there a difference between "we were grateful for" and "we were thankful for"?

While both express appreciation, "we were thankful for" is slightly more informal. "We were grateful for" and "we were thankful for" are largely interchangeable in most contexts.