Be Delighted To Do vs. Delighted With Something
Cambridge directly records delighted + to-infinitive and delighted with + noun, making this an evidence-safe replacement for the already-owned Keen intent.
Use “delighted to do/hear/meet…” when delighted is followed by an infinitive action or event. Use “delighted with something” when the complement names the thing or result that gives pleasure.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| pleasure linked to an action/event | delighted to + verb | use the infinitive construction |
| pleasure/satisfaction with a thing/result | delighted with + noun/-ing | name what gives satisfaction |
Quick tests
Action-or-result test
Are you expressing delight about doing/hearing/meeting, or satisfaction with a named thing/result?
If yes: Use “delighted to + verb” for the action/event.
If no: Use “delighted with + noun/-ing” for the thing or result.
Caveat: Both complements are documented; choose the one that matches the intended relation rather than treating them as interchangeable.
Examples
We are delighted to welcome you.
The infinitive names the action associated with the delight.
She was delighted with the result.
“With” introduces the thing that pleased her.
They were delighted to hear the news.
The infinitive construction naturally presents the event received with pleasure.
Further guidance
Core difference
Cambridge documents delighted + to-infinitive and delighted with + noun as standard complement patterns.
Style Boundary
Use with for the object/result that pleases someone; use to + base verb for the infinitive action/event pattern.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Delighted (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct learner-dictionary evidence for delighted with + noun and delighted + to-infinitive.