we were happy to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were happy to" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to express a feeling of joy or satisfaction in doing something. Example: "We were happy to receive such positive feedback from our clients." In this sentence, the speaker is expressing their happiness about receiving positive feedback from their clients. Another example: "We were happy to volunteer our time for a good cause." Here, the speaker is expressing their joy in being able to help and contribute to a good cause through volunteering.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We were happy to explore it".

The New York Times

"We were happy to have them there.

The New York Times

We were happy to be playing".

The New York Times - Sports

We were happy to return home.

The Guardian - Sport

We were happy to help with that".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We were happy to have accomplished our job today".

The New York Times - Sports

When he came to us, we were happy to help".

The New York Times - Arts

We were happy to pay a touristy price.

The Guardian - Travel

We were happy to do anything but keep moving.

The New York Times - Travel

"We were happy to come back," Daoud said.

The New York Times

We were happy to meet them and introduced ourselves.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were happy to" to convey a genuine sense of satisfaction or willingness, making sure it aligns with the overall tone and context of your writing.

Common error

In highly formal or professional settings, consider substituting "we were happy to" with more sophisticated alternatives like "we were pleased to" or "we were delighted to" to maintain a refined tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were happy to" functions as an expression of satisfaction or willingness to perform an action. As seen in Ludwig, it indicates a positive sentiment toward a past event or offer.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were happy to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys satisfaction or willingness regarding a past action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous real-world examples. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, as well as scientific and formal business settings. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives like "we were pleased to" may be preferable in certain professional situations. The phrase's versatility and widespread use make it a valuable addition to any writer's repertoire.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were glad to

Indicates a feeling of pleasure or satisfaction, similar to "we were happy to".

we were pleased to

Suggests a more formal sense of satisfaction compared to "we were happy to".

we were delighted to

Conveys a stronger sense of joy or gratification than "we were happy to".

we were content to

Implies acceptance and satisfaction with a situation or action.

we were willing to

Focuses on the readiness or eagerness to do something.

we were eager to

Emphasizes enthusiasm and anticipation in doing something.

we were ready to

Highlights preparedness and willingness to act.

it pleased us to

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of expressing satisfaction.

we felt honored to

Expresses a sense of privilege and gratitude in doing something.

we took pleasure in

Indicates enjoyment and satisfaction derived from an action or experience.

FAQs

How can I use "we were happy to" in a sentence?

You can use "we were happy to" to express satisfaction or willingness, such as, "We were happy to assist you with your request" or "We were happy to participate in the event".

What's a more formal alternative to "we were happy to"?

For more formal situations, consider using phrases like "we were pleased to" or "we were delighted to".

Is it correct to say "we are happy to" instead of "we were happy to"?

Both phrases are correct, but "we are happy to" is used for present or future actions, while "we were happy to" refers to past actions. For example, "We are happy to help you now," versus "We were happy to help you yesterday".

What's the difference between "we were happy to" and "we were glad to"?

The phrases are very similar, but "we were glad to" often carries a slightly stronger sense of relief or pleasure, while "we were happy to" is a more general expression of satisfaction.