Cool MateDelighted vs So glad
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Delighted
Top 3,000 (common)B2adjective
So glad
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Delighted
| Delighted | So glad | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈlaɪtɪd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈlaɪtɪd/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //səʊ ɡlæd//🇺🇸 //soʊ ɡlæd// |
| Meaning | Very happy or pleased. | Happy or pleased. |
| Example | She was delighted to receive the news of her promotion. | I am so glad you could come to the party! |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | appear, be, feel, highly, only too, really, at, by, with | so glad to hear, so glad you came, so glad for you |
| Antonyms | displeased, unhappy, dissatisfied | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'delighted' in a sarcastic context., Confusing 'delighted' with 'excited'., Incorrect preposition use: saying 'delighted for' instead of 'delighted with' or 'about'. | Used in formal emails or speeches., Confused with 'so glad to' which requires a verb., Overused in professional settings when more formal language is expected. |
| Usage notes | Use 'delighted' to express genuine happiness, often in positive situations. It's more formal than 'happy', so avoid it in casual conversations. | Used to express happiness in an informal way, but can also be used in more neutral settings. Avoid in very formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Delighted vs So glad
What's the difference between Delighted and So glad?
Delighted: Very happy or pleased. So glad: Happy or pleased.
Which is more common: Delighted and So glad?
Delighted is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Delighted: She was delighted to receive the news of her promotion. So glad: I am so glad you could come to the party!
Can I use Delighted and So glad interchangeably?
Not always. Delighted and So glad are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.