ENGLISH
REFERENCE

happy with sb/sth

fixed phr..
A2 Elementary Oxford

fixed phr.. You use this to say you are pleased or satisfied with something or someone.

fixed phr.. Expresses satisfaction or contentment regarding a person, object, or situation. This is a standard adjectival phrase with a dependent preposition.


SIMPLE

Are you happy with your new apartment?

CONTEXTUAL

The client was not happy with the final design, so we had to make changes.

COMPLEX

Although the experiment yielded some unexpected results, the researchers were generally happy with the data they collected.

Usage

This phrase is followed by a noun or noun phrase that is the source of the satisfaction.

Teaching tip

Contrast 'happy with' (satisfaction), 'happy about' (pleased by an event/news), and 'happy for' (sharing another's joy).

Pitfall

I am happy for my new job.I am happy with my new job.Use 'with' to show satisfaction in something you have; use 'for' to show happiness on behalf of someone else.

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