It gives me great pleasure to

The structure is very specific and quite easy to master once you see the pattern. You almost always follow the word to with a base-form verb (the infinitive). The most common verbs you'll hear after this phrase are introduce, announce, present, welcome, or accept. For example, a CEO might say, It gives me great pleasure to introduce our new Chief Technology Officer. You can also add a little extra flavor by saying it gives me immense pleasure or it gives me such great pleasure, but don't overdo it. One great is usually enough to sound classy without sounding like you're trying too hard to be a poet.

This phrase sits at the very top of the formality ladder. It is 'Very Formal.' You will find it in academic graduation ceremonies, high-level business emails, royal announcements, and formal gala dinners. It is definitely not something you would use in a WhatsApp group with your college friends unless you are being intentionally sarcastic. On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is 'Sup?' and 10 is 'Your Majesty,' this phrase is a solid 9.5. It’s perfect for those LinkedIn 'career update' posts where you want to sound professional but also deeply appreciative of your new opportunity.

You’ll often see this in the captions of high-end Instagram posts from luxury brands or professional organizations. A museum might post, It gives me great pleasure to announce our latest exhibition featuring 17th-century pottery. You’ll also hear it at weddings during the toasts. The Best Man might say, It gives me great pleasure to propose a toast to the happy couple. In the world of streaming, you might even hear it during a formal charity stream event where the host is introducing a major donor. It’s the phrase people reach for when they want to make a moment feel 'official.'

Use this when the stakes are high and the vibe is professional or celebratory. If you are writing a cover letter for a dream job and you are mentioning a project you loved, you might say, It gave me great pleasure to lead such a talented team. Use it when you are giving a speech at a conference, or when you are writing a formal thank-you note to a mentor. It’s also great for social media when you’ve achieved a major milestone, like finishing a marathon or publishing a book. It tells the world, "I'm proud of this, and I'm treating it with the respect it deserves."

Avoid this phrase in casual settings at all costs, unless you want to be the punchline of a joke. Don't use it when texting your roommate about doing the dishes: It gives me great pleasure to announce I have cleaned the sink. That’s just weird. Also, don't use it for negative or neutral news. You wouldn't say, It gives me great pleasure to tell you that your car has been towed. That would make you sound like a movie villain. Stick to positive, uplifting, and significant events. If the situation doesn't require a tie or a nice dress, you probably don't need this phrase either.

One common slip-up is forgetting the to or using the wrong verb form. Remember, it's always to + verb.

Another mistake is using pleasurable instead of pleasure.

Lastly, don't confuse it with it is my pleasure. While similar, it is my pleasure is usually a response to 'thank you,' whereas it gives me great pleasure to is an opening statement for an action.

If you want to vary your language so you don't sound like a robot, you can try a few alternatives. I am delighted to is a bit warmer and slightly less stiff. It is an honor to is even more formal and used when you feel humbled by the situation. For a more modern, 'Silicon Valley' vibe, you might say I am thrilled to announce. If you want to stay formal but be a bit more concise, I am pleased to works beautifully. In British English, you might occasionally hear It is a great privilege to, which adds an extra layer of 'I am very lucky to be here.'

Is it too formal for an email? Not if it's a very important email, like a job offer or a formal invitation. Can I use it in the past tense? Yes! It gave me great pleasure to work with you is a lovely way to end a professional relationship. Does it sound old-fashioned? A little bit, but in a 'classic' way, like a vintage watch. It never really goes out of style for big moments. Should I use it on TikTok? Only if you're doing a parody of a fancy person or if you're making a very serious 'life update' video.