we were gratified

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were gratified" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a sense of pleasure or satisfaction about a particular outcome or event. Example: "After receiving the positive feedback from our clients, we were gratified to know our efforts were appreciated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

We were gratified that our president wisely agreed, and our history was not blemished.

The New York Times

"But we were gratified by the encouragement" of the North Koreans to return, he said.

The New York Times

We were gratified to see that the Library of America's publication of "Rachel Carson: Silent Spring & Other Writings on the Environment" occasioned a fine piece by Lepore.

The New Yorker

Still, we were gratified to hear Mr. McCain acknowledge the many abuses and failures of the Bush presidency and pledge to not repeat them.

The New York Times

We were gratified by your July 12 front-page article on verdicts awarding damages to Mississippi families of nursing home patients whose routine care was neglected and whose quality of life was poor.

The New York Times

We were gratified by David Brooks's interest in our report, "A Century Apart," and agree with him that bad policy has devastating effects on people's well-being and access to opportunity.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"We're gratified," said Mr. Baker.

The New York Times

Fitzgerald said grandly of the conviction: 'We are gratified.

The Guardian

Ms. Goode-Trufant said Friday: "We are gratified the court lifted the sanctions.

The New York Times

"We're gratified by the judge's decision," Mr. Braun said.

The New York Times

"We are gratified to have this support from our secured lender group.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were gratified" to express satisfaction in formal communications such as reports, official statements, or responses to positive outcomes. It conveys professionalism and a sense of accomplishment.

Common error

Avoid using "we were gratified" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler expressions like "we were happy" or "we were pleased".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were gratified" functions as a declarative statement expressing a feeling of satisfaction or pleasure. It is typically used to convey a positive response to a particular event, result, or action. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were gratified" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to convey satisfaction or pleasure, particularly in formal and professional contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in written English. While alternatives like "we were pleased" or "we felt satisfied" exist, "we were gratified" offers a slightly more elevated and formal tone. It is crucial to reserve it for appropriate situations to prevent sounding overly pretentious. Examples show its use in news, science, and business settings, with reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian demonstrating its prevalence. This suggests a relatively high level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were pleased

Replaces "gratified" with a more common and less formal synonym. The level of satisfaction is still present but slightly less intense.

we felt satisfied

Indicates a feeling of contentment and fulfillment, similar to gratification.

we found it gratifying

Shifts the emphasis to the quality of being gratifying, rather than the feeling itself.

we were delighted

Conveys a stronger sense of joy and pleasure than "gratified".

we were happy

A simple and direct expression of happiness. Less formal than "gratified".

we rejoiced

Indicates a strong feeling of happiness and celebration, implying a significant positive outcome.

we took satisfaction in

Shifts the focus to the act of experiencing satisfaction, rather than simply feeling it.

we were appreciative

Highlights gratitude and thankfulness, adding another layer of emotion to the satisfaction.

we welcomed with pleasure

Emphasizes a positive reception and a sense of enjoyment.

it pleased us to

More formal and indirect way of expressing satisfaction.

FAQs

How can I use "we were gratified" in a sentence?

You can use "we were gratified" to express satisfaction or pleasure about a particular outcome or event. For example, "We were gratified to see such a positive response from our customers."

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

You can use alternatives such as "we were pleased", "we felt satisfied", or "we were delighted" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "we were gratified" in informal settings?

While grammatically correct, "we were gratified" is generally more suitable for formal or professional contexts. In informal settings, simpler alternatives like "we were happy" or "we were glad" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "we were gratified" and "we were grateful"?

"We were gratified" expresses satisfaction or pleasure, while "we were grateful" expresses thankfulness or appreciation. Although related, they convey different nuances. For instance, "We were gratified by the positive feedback" focuses on satisfaction, while "We were grateful for the opportunity" emphasizes thankfulness.