We are happy to report

You usually put this right at the start of a sentence to set a positive tone. Most of the time, you follow it with the word that. For example: We are happy to report that the update is live. You can also follow it with a direct noun or a prepositional phrase, though that is the most common path. It works best in writing, like emails, press releases, or official company Slack channels. If you are speaking, it works well in presentations or when giving a formal update to a boss. It acts as a "green light" for the listener, telling them they can relax because the news is good. Just make sure the news is actually worth reporting, or you might sound a bit dramatic.

This phrase lives in the formal to neutral world. You will see it constantly in business letters, annual reports, and official announcements. It is not something you would usually text your best friend about getting a free taco—that would be way too stiff! However, you might use it jokingly with friends to sound ironically serious about something small. In a professional setting, it is the gold standard for professionalism. It shows you know how to navigate corporate etiquette. It is much more formal than saying I've got good news or Guess what? It suggests that a process has been completed and verified. It is the language of someone who has their life together (or is very good at pretending they do).

You will find this phrase all over the internet. Check out a company’s "Investor Relations" page or their "Newsroom." When a tech giant launches a new feature, they might start their blog post with this. When a non-profit finishes a fundraising drive, they use it to thank donors. You might even see it in a school newsletter telling parents that the new playground is finished. It is common in travel vlogs when a creator finally gets a visa approved after a long struggle. Even in gaming, developers use it in patch notes to say they fixed a bug everyone hated. It is everywhere because everyone likes sharing wins.

Use this when the news affects more than just you. If your whole department did well, we is the perfect word. Use it when you want to sound authoritative and reliable. It is great for quarterly reviews, project wrap-ups, and customer-facing updates. If you are an influencer, you might use it to tell your followers about a new collaboration. It is perfect for those "big reveal" moments. If you have been working on something for months and it finally works, this phrase gives the moment the gravity it deserves. It is also a safe bet when you are emailing someone you don't know very well but want to impress with your professionalism.

Never use this for bad news. Saying We are happy to report that you are fired is a one-way ticket to being the most hated person in the office. It sounds sarcastic and mean if the news isn't actually good. Also, avoid it in very casual settings. If you tell your partner I am happy to report that I bought milk, they might think you have been spending too much time at the office. Don't use it if you are the only person involved and it’s a tiny detail. If you just found your lost sock, I found my sock is plenty. Overusing it can make you sound like a robot or a corporate drone, so save it for the meaningful stuff.

One big mistake is using I instead of we when you are representing a company. It breaks the professional vibe. Another is forgetting the that when it is needed for clarity. Some people also try to make it even longer, like We are extremely happy to be able to report to you that...—stop right there! You are drowning the good news in word soup. Keep it lean. Also, watch out for the "sarcastic trap" mentioned before. Using it for mediocre news like We are happy to report the printer has paper just makes you look like you are trying too hard.

If you want to mix it up, there are plenty of siblings to this phrase. We are pleased to announce is slightly more formal and often used for events. We are delighted to share feels a bit warmer and more personal, great for social media. It is our pleasure to inform you is very high-level and used in official letters. In a more casual but still professional Slack message, you might just say Great news! or Good news, everyone! (though that might make people think of Futurama). For a more modern, tech-focused vibe, people often use We're excited to reveal. Pick the one that fits the "wardrobe" of your conversation.

Is it too formal for an email to a coworker? Usually, yes. Use Good news! instead unless you are writing to the whole team. Can I use it for personal news? Only if you are being funny or if it’s a very big life event like a wedding. Is it better than "We are pleased to announce"? They are very similar, but report sounds more like you are giving data or results, while announce sounds like a big event. Is it okay for British English? Absolutely, it is used across the globe. What if I am reporting something neutral? Then use We wish to report or just We are reporting. The happy part is only for the good stuff!