Introduction
Using pleasant words makes us and the person who listens happy, so it is always encouraged to use polite and pleasant words with everyone. Especially, when working in a professional environment, it is a basic expectation that everyone must behave professionally and use formal, ethical, and empathetic words. Also, in workplaces that involve support or customer service job profile, they must interact in a respectful and polite tone with customers or clients. As we all know language plays a major role in any business or organization and when used in the correct tone, it would help us gain customers and indeed help us to grow in our business or organization. Let’s discuss one such polite and the respectful idiom “It was an honor” meaning and its usage in different ways.
It was an honor – Meaning
The word “honor” as a noun refers to praise or uprightness etc., and “honor” in terms of a verb would be to provide praise, recognition, celebrate, etc., The phrase “it was an honor” refers to an extreme level of respect towards achievement or acknowledging a position or prestige. This phrase depicts when someone achieves something and considers it to be of high esteem.
Examples
- It was an honor meeting you.
- It was an honor to be a part of this show.
- It was an honor to receive this award from a legend like you.
- It was an honor when my book was nominated in the “Best Storyline” category in “Global Book Awards”.
- It was an honor to be have worked as his assistant.
- It was an honor to get a chance to be part of this social initiative.
- It was an honor for me to share this stage with a legendary singer and to be able to sing along with him.
- Our team has won this match, it was an honor for all of us to make our country proud.
- It was an honor working with this team for the last 5 years and I’m really worried to leave this team.
- It was an honor being the first person to receive this award from India in this category.
- It was an honor to share screen space with the great actor.
- It was an honor for me to travel and earn so much fame through social media.
- It was an honor to work with them.
- Merlin said, “It was an honor that I could sing for India’s top music director”.
- It was an honor to have met you today.
- It was an honor to publish my project in front of the dignitaries.
- It was an honor to receive the Noble Prize for Peace this year.
- It was an honor to host this show.
- It was an honor to have composed more than 1000 songs at the PAN India level.
It was an honor – When to use it?
When to use the phrase “it was an honor” depends on scenarios that include when someone needs to showcase their respect, credit, or depict a person’s high authority. This phrase could be used to depict one’s respect for some achievement or someone they look up to. Making use of such a phrase shows everyone to know the level of recognition or authority in one’s statement. Let’s see a few scenarios with examples:
Scenario 1: When someone gets a higher position or receives a great achievement for their dedication and hard work in their profession.
Example: An actor receiving an award from a national channel.
Host: The award for the best actor, “male” category goes to Mr. LLLL for the movie KKKK.
(after receiving the award, the actor gives a short speech)
Actor: It was an honor for me to receive this prestigious award from a respected national channel.
Scenario 2: When providing an introduction of a person with higher authority, one could use the phrase “It was an honor” to depict their respect to work or team up with that related person.
Example: New manager joining the team
Team leader: It was an honor to introduce you to the team. They are excited to work under your leadership as they have heard so much about you from your previous team.
Manager: The pleasure is mine. I hope we all will do our duties well.
Scenario 3: Conversation between friends
Example:
Friend 1: Hey, I had the opportunity to meet the famous actor Mr. LLLL today at Mall.
Friend 2: That’s great! Did you have a chance to interact with him?
Friend 1: Yes, I took a selfie with him. I told him “it was an honor to see him”.
Friend 2: Super, buddy.
Friend 1: I have shared the selfie picture on my social media account.
Friend 2: Good. Let me check it out.
Scenario 4: Interaction among colleagues
Example:
Colleague 1: Did you guys hear the news?
Colleague 2: What news?
Colleague 3: Are you talking about the new project deal signed recently?
Colleague 1: Exactly! Our team leader has been chosen as the project head for the new project.
Colleague 2: Oh really? That’s great!
Colleague 3: Yes, I heard our team leader saying “it was an honor for me to be chosen as the project head” when I passed through them.
Colleague 1: Hmm. It is a great opportunity for him.
Colleague 2: Yes. Hope we all get some scope to perform.
Colleague 3: I hope the same.
Scenario 5: Email to colleague
Example:
Dear Kenny,
Sine, we have been chosen as partners for the project presentation and working towards the final draft.
So far, it was an honor indeed for me to have you, as your presence and inputs have helped a lot to do this presentation effectively.
Our Manager will be saying the final draft tomorrow, let’s meet before the scheduled meeting to discuss content that needs to be said and on our presentation strategy.
Please note down points from your end that needs to be highlighted. So, it will be easy for us to summarize the points from my end as well.
If there are any additional queries or clarifications, please note them as well so that we can discuss them and sort them out.
I hope our final output will be satisfying to the manager. Let’s stay prepared before we step into the meeting room and do our best!
Looking forward to your response.
Thank you!
Best Regards
Larry
It was an honor – Where to use?
The phrase is used in a formal context in a conversation or interaction or self-speech. This empathetical phrase is mostly preferred in a professional environment as it helps to depict someone’s recognition or achievement or dedication. So, this phrase “it was an honor” could be used in any award function, business achievements, compliments to coworkers or boss, etc.,
Let’s see a few scenarios with examples:
Scenario 1: Farewell speech of a coworker to the team
Example:
Coworker: I feel bad that I’m leaving this team but it was an honor to be a part of this team. I enjoyed working with fellow team members. They were supportive. I thank all of them for their cooperation.
Scenario 2: conversation between a celebrity and host in a TV show
Example:
Host: It was an honor to interview you. You were a great sport today and gave all answers honestly.
Celebrity: Oh, thank you! It was a pleasure talking to you. I had fun.
Host: I’m glad. Thank you!
Scenario 3: Business email to a client
Example:
Dear Team,
It was an honor to have you with us for a special event which was a great success.
Would like to have your feedback and suggestions on the event.
Awaiting your response to this email.
Thank You!
Yours truly,
HR Team Head
It was an honor – How to use it?
The phrase “it was an honor” is mostly used at the start of the speech or conversation formally or professionally. In certain scenarios, it could also be used at the middle or end of a speech in a conversation depending on the context of the situation.
Let’s see a few scenarios with examples:
Scenario 1: Conversation between business partners
Example:
Business partner 1: Hey congratulations, man! I just heard the news that you have been chosen as a “Promising Entrepreneur” by an International NGO.
Business partner 2: Thank you! It was an honor indeed. I was very happy when they informed me about it.
Business partner 1: It is a proud moment for our organization. We will have to celebrate this. Let’s have a grand party with all our friends.
Business partner 2: Definitely!
Scenario 2: Interaction between colleagues
Example:
Colleague 1: Hi, buddy. I was looking for you yesterday.
Colleague 2: Hi, Man. I went to a conference yesterday in which, I had a chance to present my thesis to the guest and audience.
Colleague 1: Wow! That is great to hear. Congratulations on your work.
Colleague 2: Thanks, Man. It was an honor for me to present in front of all the dignitaries.
Colleague 1: Good work, buddy!
Scenario 3: Speech after receiving an award from a winner
Example:
Winner: Hello everyone! It was an honor to receive this “Best Author-2020” award. I’m really glad to be present in front of all the celebrities and talented folks. 2020 was a tough year for all of us but we have passed through the pandemic and striving to cope up with our lives. I truly hope my book will be an inspiration to all those struggling yet hard-working minds. Thank you for this opportunity to interact with you all!
Scenario 4: Phone conversation between friends
Example:
Friend 1: Hello, dude!
Friend 2: Hi, dude!
Friend 1: I have a piece of happy news to confess.
Friend 2: Hey what is it, dude?
Friend 1: I have been selected for a 6 months internship program in an abroad institute.
Friend 2: That’s great, dude!
Friend 1: Thanks, Man. It was an honor to be one of the 10 candidates selected for the internship.
Friend 2: Congratulations. I’m proud of you, dude.
Scenario 5: Email from an employee to manager in an organization
Example:
Hi Mike,
I’m writing this email to convey my gratitude for choosing me as the Project coordinator.
It was an honor for me to take this role and I hope to perform well in my given activities.
This is a great opportunity for me to showcase my talents.
Thank you very much.
Best Regards
Jake Bern
Other alternative phrases
There are a few other phrases that could be used as an alternative for “it was an honor” like below
- It was an immense pleasure
- It was a blessing
- I’m grateful
- It was a wonderful chance
- It was a wonderful opportunity
All these listed phrases could be used as an alternative but they do not give the exact respect or recognition context in their meaning.
“An Honor” or “An Honor” – which is correct?
It is important to know using which phrase is exactly correct, whether it is “an honor” or “an honor”. We cannot afford to make any grammatical errors in a professional environment. So, it is good to understand the correct usage of the phrase. The exact way to depict this sentence is “An honor”. This is because “honor” starts with the vowel sound “O. In such a case, we should use only “an”. Only for words with a consonant sound, “a” could be used.
Difference Between “Honor” and “Honour”
Both “Honor” and “Honour” have similar meanings whereas the only difference is that “Honour” is used in British English and “Honor” is used in American English. Generally, British English dialect words have a “u” after an “o” in many cases, some of the examples are “humor”, “favorite,” “color” etc.,
Conclusion
Whatever one might succeed in life, it is very important to stay grounded. Usage of certain phrases like “it was an honor” helps people to achieve that in a dignified manner. What and how one speaks depicts their true self, so, it is always advised to spread love and empathy through our words so that the same will be transferred to the next generation who would follow our footsteps.
