Be Thrilled To Do vs. Thrilled About Something
Oxford directly records thrilled + to-infinitive and thrilled about + noun/event.
Use “thrilled to do something” when thrilled is completed by an infinitive action or event. Use “thrilled about something” when the complement names the thing or situation causing excitement.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| strong excitement expressed through an action or event | thrilled + to-infinitive | use the infinitive construction |
| strong excitement concerning a named thing, plan, or situation | thrilled about + noun phrase | use “about” to name the matter |
Quick tests
Action-or-matter test
Is the excitement carried by an infinitive action/event, or focused on a named matter?
If yes: Use “thrilled to + verb.”
If no: Use “thrilled about + noun phrase.”
Caveat: Both patterns are directly supported; use the complement that fits the intended relationship.
Examples
We are thrilled to welcome the new editor.
The infinitive presents the action linked to excitement.
We are thrilled about the new edition.
“About” introduces the matter causing excitement.
She was thrilled to join and thrilled about the work ahead.
The two constructions can coexist naturally.
Further guidance
Core difference
Oxford documents thrilled + to-infinitive and thrilled about + noun/event as standard complement patterns.
Style Boundary
Use about for the thing or event producing excitement; 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.
- Thrilled (opens in a new tab)Oxford University Press · Direct learner-dictionary evidence for thrilled + to-infinitive and thrilled about + noun/event.