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Prepositions after adjectives

Delighted with, at, by, for or about?

Delighted can be followed by several prepositions. The choice depends on whether you mean satisfaction, reaction, cause, happiness for someone, or a topic.

Quick answer

Which preposition follows delighted?

Use delighted with for satisfaction with a thing or result. Use delighted by or delighted at for reactions to events or actions. Use delighted about for a topic or situation, and delighted for someone when expressing happiness on their behalf.

She was delighted with her exam results.
We were delighted by the surprise.
He seemed delighted about the new project.
I am delighted for your family.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
delighted with + thing or result

Expressing satisfaction

With commonly follows delighted when talking about satisfaction with a possession, performance, or outcome.

They were delighted with the service.
She is delighted with her promotion.
2
delighted by + action or event

Reacting to a cause

By introduces the thing that caused delight.

The audience was delighted by the performance.
3
delighted at + news or situation

Responding to something pleasant

At is often used for reactions to events, news, or discoveries.

He was delighted at the announcement.
4
delighted about + topic

Talking about a subject or plan

About introduces a general topic or situation causing happiness.

We are delighted about the partnership.
5
delighted for + person

Feeling happy on someone else's behalf

For is used when you are pleased for another person.

I am delighted for you.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
delighted with
She is delighted with her new office.
Shows satisfaction with something.
delighted by
We were delighted by the children's performance.
Focuses on the cause of delight.
delighted at
He was delighted at the news.
Common for reactions to events or information.
delighted about
They are delighted about the merger.
Refers to a topic or situation.
delighted for
I'm delighted for your team.
Expresses happiness on behalf of someone else.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using for with things instead of people

For usually refers to another person, not an object or result.

✕ She was delighted for her new laptop. ✓ She was delighted with her new laptop.

Confusing with and by

With shows satisfaction, while by identifies the cause.

✕ We were delighted with the magician's trick. ✓ We were delighted by the magician's trick.

Using about for a person

About introduces a topic, not the person you are happy for.

✕ I am delighted about you. ✓ I am delighted for you.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. They were delighted ___ the excellent service.
2. The children were delighted ___ the surprise visit.
3. I'm delighted ___ your success.

Check your sentence in context

Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between delighted with and delighted by?

Delighted with usually means satisfied with something, while delighted by focuses on what caused the feeling.

Can delighted at and delighted about both be correct?

Yes. At is common for reactions to events or news, while about often refers to a broader topic or situation.

When do I use delighted for?

Use delighted for when you feel happy for another person's success or good fortune.

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