Be Elated To Do vs. Elated By Something
Be Elated To Do vs. Elated By Something compares two directly documented complement patterns for “elated.” Oxford evidence supports an infinitival use as well as elated at/by + noun phrase, so the guide explains the construction choice without generalizing from synonyms.
Use elated + to-infinitive when the infinitive states what someone is very happy and excited to learn or do; use elated at/by + noun phrase for the directly documented prepositional pattern.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| very happy/excited in relation to an event | elated + to-infinitive | use the infinitive to present the event/action |
| source of elation | elated by/at + noun phrase | name what produced the feeling |
Quick tests
Event-or-source test
Are you presenting what someone is delighted to learn/do, or naming the thing that produced the elation?
If yes: Use “elated to + verb” for the event/action construction.
If no: Use “elated by/at + noun phrase” for the source.
Caveat: The reviewed Oxford evidence supports both types; keep the wording bounded to those attested patterns.
Examples
She was elated to receive the invitation.
The infinitive presents the event linked to the feeling.
They were elated by the result.
“By” names the source of the elation.
He was elated at the news.
“At” can also introduce the object/source in the documented pattern.
Further guidance
Core difference
Oxford documents both an elated + to-infinitive example and elated at/by + noun phrase patterns. The constructions express the same broad emotional state but package the cause or event differently.
Style Boundary
Keep the comparison to directly attested patterns; do not infer that every synonym of “elated” licenses the same complements.
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.
- elated — Oxford Advanced American Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Oxford University Press · Direct dictionary evidence for elated + to-infinitive and elated at/by + complement