we were very pleased

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were very pleased" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express satisfaction or happiness about a particular situation or outcome. Example: "After reviewing the project results, we were very pleased with the team's performance and dedication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were very pleased with him at Kelso.

The Guardian - Sport

We were very pleased with the outcome of the campaign.

The Guardian

"We were very pleased with the turnout," said Peter Josyph.

The New York Times

In fact we were very pleased with what he did.

The Guardian - Sport

"We were very pleased with the result," Mr. Davis said.

The New York Times

We were very pleased with the accuracy of the color sensor.

Cornell University

All in all, we were very pleased with the way things turned out.

Cornell University

The package that was put together we were very pleased with.

Yale University

"We were very pleased with the meeting," said Steven Goldstein, a spokesman for TIAA-CREF.

The New York Times

"We were very pleased with the turnout," she said on Wednesday after the numbers came in.

The New York Times

"We were very pleased with Thanksgiving weekend," said Robert Guerra, manager of The Westchester.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were very pleased" to express satisfaction in formal or semi-formal contexts, such as business reports or academic papers, where a direct and clear statement of approval is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "we were very pleased" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "we were happy" or "we liked it a lot" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were very pleased" functions as a statement expressing satisfaction or approval. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. Examples from Ludwig show it used in contexts ranging from satisfaction with performance to appreciation of a result.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

29%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were very pleased" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to communicate satisfaction or approval. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability. Primarily found in News & Media, Academia and Science contexts, this expression offers a straightforward way to express contentment in professional, academic, and even some neutral settings. While versatile, it's advisable to consider context and audience to select the most fitting expression of satisfaction, avoiding overuse in informal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were highly satisfied

Uses a different intensifier ("highly" instead of "very") and replaces "pleased" with "satisfied" to emphasize fulfillment of expectations.

we were delighted

Replaces "pleased" with "delighted" to convey a higher degree of joy or gratification.

we were extremely happy

Replaces "pleased" with "happy" to express a stronger emotional response, and "very" with "extremely" to intensify the feeling.

we couldn't be happier

Uses a rhetorical device to suggest maximum satisfaction with the outcome.

we found it very satisfactory

Shifts the sentence structure to focus on the object of satisfaction rather than the subject's feeling.

we were favorably impressed

Highlights that something created a positive impression, focusing on the impact of an event or action.

we were quite content

Uses "content" instead of "pleased" to suggest a sense of peace and acceptance with the outcome.

it met our expectations perfectly

Changes the phrasing to highlight that something matched expectations in a completely satisfactory way, instead of expressing pleasure directly.

we appreciated it greatly

Shifts the focus to expressing appreciation, rather than direct pleasure, indicating thankfulness for the outcome.

we welcomed the outcome

Suggests acceptance and positivity towards a result, more neutral than expressing strong pleasure.

FAQs

How can I use "we were very pleased" in a sentence?

You can use "we were very pleased" to express satisfaction or approval about something. For example, "We were very pleased with the team's performance this quarter" or "We were very pleased to receive your generous donation".

What are some alternatives to "we were very pleased"?

Some alternatives include "we were highly satisfied", "we were extremely happy", or "we were delighted", depending on the level of enthusiasm you want to convey.

Is "we were very pleased" formal or informal?

"We were very pleased" is generally considered to be semi-formal to formal. It is suitable for professional communication, reports, and presentations. For more casual settings, consider using a phrase like "we were happy".

Can "we were very pleased" be used in negative contexts?

While "we were very pleased" expresses positive sentiment, it's generally not used in negative contexts. Instead, consider using phrases that convey disappointment or dissatisfaction directly, such as "we were disappointed" or "we were unsatisfied".