were satisfied

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were satisfied" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a group of people or individuals experienced contentment or fulfillment regarding a situation or outcome. Example: "After reviewing the project results, the team members were satisfied with the progress made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"All goals were satisfied.

The New Yorker

The veterans were satisfied.

The New York Times

These parents were satisfied customers.

The New Yorker

By 9 55, the illusionists were satisfied.

The New York Times

"When we played, they were satisfied".

The New Yorker

They were satisfied "to satisfy themselves".

The New Yorker

Only 12 percent said they were satisfied.

The New York Times

But at that point we were satisfied".

The New York Times

"Therefore, the WHO group's recommendations were satisfied".

The Guardian

Leveson concluded that both conditions were satisfied.

The Guardian

We were satisfied; possibly other people weren't".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about subjective experiences, consider using synonyms like "were pleased" or "felt content" to convey a more nuanced emotional state.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "were satisfied" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for more natural alternatives such as "were happy" or "were okay with" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were satisfied" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating a state of contentment or fulfillment experienced by a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

39%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were satisfied" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction to express contentment or fulfillment. According to Ludwig, its usage spans various domains, with prevalence in news and scientific contexts. While versatile, it's advisable to consider the formality of the setting and opt for more casual alternatives when appropriate. Remember that "were satisfied" signifies that expectations or needs have been adequately met.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were happy with

A simpler way to express satisfaction, focusing on a general feeling of happiness.

were pleased

Indicates a feeling of happiness or approval about something, slightly more general than "were satisfied".

were content

Similar to "were satisfied", but often implies a quiet acceptance of the current situation.

felt content

Expresses a feeling of peaceful happiness, differing from "were satisfied" by emphasizing inner emotional state.

were gratified

Implies a feeling of pleasure or satisfaction as a result of having one's desires fulfilled.

were delighted

Conveys a high level of pleasure and satisfaction, stronger than simply being satisfied.

were fulfilled

Signifies a sense of completeness or satisfaction derived from achieving something significant.

were appeased

Suggests that a need or demand has been met, often implying that something was done to stop someone from being angry or dissatisfied.

found it acceptable

Expresses a level of satisfaction that meets a minimum requirement, rather than exceeding expectations.

were complacent

Indicates satisfaction to the point of being unconcerned, potentially missing the need for improvement.

FAQs

How can I use "were satisfied" in a sentence?

You can use "were satisfied" to indicate that needs or expectations have been met. For example, "The customers "were satisfied" with the service" or "The team "were satisfied" with the results".

What are some alternatives to "were satisfied"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "were pleased", "were content", or "were happy with".

Is it more appropriate to use "were satisfied" or "was satisfied"?

"Were satisfied" is used with plural subjects, while "was satisfied" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The clients were satisfied" versus "The client was satisfied".

What's the difference between "were satisfied" and "were complacent"?

"Were satisfied" indicates contentment, while "were complacent" suggests a level of satisfaction that leads to a lack of concern or motivation for improvement.