we were overjoyed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were overjoyed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a strong feeling of happiness or joy in response to a positive event or news. Example: "When we received the news of our promotion, we were overjoyed and couldn't stop smiling."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"We were overjoyed," Mr. Alldred recalled.

The New York Times

Tests showed no trace of CF. We were overjoyed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"When he was convicted, we were overjoyed," said Susan Ottens.

The Guardian

Mrs Phelps must be pretty proud too but we were overjoyed.

The Guardian - Sport

We were overjoyed when the Landmarks Preservation Commission designated it as a historic city landmark.

The New York Times

Crossing the finish line we were overjoyed that we did it".

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

We are overjoyed.

The Guardian

Naturally we're overjoyed".

The New York Times - Arts

We are overjoyed and exhausted.

The Guardian

"We are overjoyed; it gets it through the school year".

The New York Times

"We're overjoyed we're getting some federal support," Mr. Queenan, a volunteer at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, said of the decision.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience when using this phrase. While generally appropriate, adjust the level of formality based on the context. In more formal settings, consider alternatives like "we were delighted".

Common error

Avoid using "we were overjoyed" repeatedly in the same piece of writing. Vary your language by incorporating synonyms like "thrilled", "delighted", or "ecstatic" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were overjoyed" functions as a subject-verb-adjective construction, expressing a state of being. It describes the subject's (we) emotional state, indicating a high degree of happiness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were overjoyed" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a strong feeling of happiness and elation. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English. While generally suitable for various contexts, including news and general communication, its intensity may warrant consideration of more formal alternatives like "we were delighted" in strictly academic or business settings. Remember to use this phrase to express extreme happiness in response to positive news and events, and to avoid overusing it in close proximity to maintain clarity and reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were thrilled

Replaces "overjoyed" with "thrilled", conveying a strong feeling of excitement and pleasure but with a slightly different intensity.

we were delighted

Substitutes "overjoyed" with "delighted", indicating great pleasure and satisfaction, closely mirroring the original meaning.

we were ecstatic

Replaces "overjoyed" with "ecstatic", suggesting an extreme state of happiness and joy, possibly stronger than the original.

we were elated

Swaps "overjoyed" for "elated", indicating high spirits and great happiness, similar in intensity to the original.

we were jubilant

Replaces "overjoyed" with "jubilant", expressing great joy and triumph, adding a nuance of celebration to the feeling.

we were on cloud nine

An idiomatic alternative to "we were overjoyed", meaning extremely happy and content, adding a touch of informality.

we were walking on air

An idiomatic expression similar to "we were overjoyed", describing a feeling of lightness and happiness, implying a sense of buoyancy.

we were in high spirits

Replaces "overjoyed" with a more general phrase indicating a cheerful and happy mood, slightly less intense than the original.

we were tickled pink

An idiomatic expression indicating great amusement and pleasure, similar to being overjoyed but with a stronger emphasis on amusement.

we were beside ourselves with joy

A more emphatic way of saying "we were overjoyed", indicating an overwhelming feeling of happiness and excitement.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "we were thrilled", "we were delighted", or "we were ecstatic" depending on the context.

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

"We were overjoyed" is typically followed by a clause explaining what caused the feeling. For example, "We were overjoyed when we heard the news of our acceptance."

Is "we were overjoyed" formal or informal?

"We were overjoyed" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, consider using more formal alternatives like "we were delighted" in highly professional settings.

What is the difference between "we were overjoyed" and "we were happy"?

"We were overjoyed" expresses a much stronger emotion than "we were happy". "Overjoyed" implies extreme happiness and delight, whereas "happy" is a more general and less intense feeling.