Let’s Get Happy

The Declaration of Independence of the United States proclaims that all people have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. So, what makes you happy? Money? Family? Your work? Whatever it is, let’s say it correctly.

We have happy with and happy about, and there is a subtle difference between the two:

“Happy with” means you are satisfied with the quality or standard of something. 

• The client was happy with their presentation. 
• The chef was not happy with the flavor of the truffles. 

“Happy about” means you are pleased that something happened, or pleased by something. 

• The team was happy about winning the championship. 
• Carlo is not happy about being in debt. 

I often hear English learners say happy about but rarely happy with, and even native speakers seem to use these expressions interchangeably, which is proof that prepositions are a challenge. You will still be understood even if you mix the two up, but knowing the correct uses is always best.