Kudos to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Kudos to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express praise or recognition for someone's achievements or efforts. Example: "Kudos to Sarah for her outstanding presentation at the conference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Technology

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Kudos to the F.D.A".

The New York Times - Health

Kudos to you!

The New York Times

"Kudos to her".

The New York Times - Arts

Kudos to them.

The New York Times

"Kudos to Mantle," he added.

The New York Times - Sports

Kudos to all.

The New York Times

Kudos to Mr. Taruskin.

The New York Times - Arts

Kudos to Nadav Kander.

The New York Times

Kudos to the plodders.

The New York Times

(Kudos to the hidden partners, the riggers).

The New York Times - Arts

Kudos to Mr. Nocera for not equivocating.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Kudos to" in professional emails or public announcements to build positive rapport with colleagues or teams.

Common error

Do not say 'He kudos the team' as a verb. 'Kudos' is a noun derived from Greek meaning 'glory' or 'fame'. It functions as a singular uncountable noun that indicates praise or honor, so always use it as part of an idiomatic expression like "Kudos to" or 'Give kudos to'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Kudos to" functions as a prepositional phrase used as an interjection or an elliptical sentence to express commendation. In the Ludwig database, it is consistently categorized as a correct and valid way to signal praise, often appearing at the start of a sentence or as a standalone comment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Technology & Business

10%

Sports

5%

Less common in

Academic Research

1%

Scientific Journals

1%

Legal Writing

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Analysis of over 50 real-world examples from the Ludwig database confirms that "Kudos to" is a highly effective and grammatically correct way to offer praise. It is particularly prevalent in high-authority media outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian. While it is essentially a noun meaning 'glory', in modern usage it almost exclusively appears in this idiomatic form to recognize someone's success. Whether you are writing a news column or a professional email, "Kudos to" remains a versatile and widely accepted choice for positive reinforcement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hats off to

Uses a more idiomatic and visual metaphor for showing respect

congratulations to

A more literal and standard alternative for celebrating success

credit to

Focuses on the attribution of success or a job well done

well done to

More direct and common in British English or instructional contexts

props to

A more casual or slang-oriented alternative suitable for informal contexts

accolades to

Significantly more formal and typically used for major honors

bravo to

Carries an enthusiastic, performance-oriented tone of approval

salute to

Implies a high level of respect or professional recognition

recognition to

A descriptive, formal way to point out specific contributions

praise to

A literal synonym that works well in more traditional or formal writing

FAQs

How do I use "Kudos to" in a sentence?

You can use "Kudos to" to offer praise directly to someone, such as in "<a href="/s/Kudos+to+the+team" target="_blank" rel="alternative">Kudos to the team for finishing the project early." It is frequently used by editors in publications like The New York Times to commend specific groups or individuals.

What can I say instead of "Kudos to"?

Depending on the level of formality you need, you can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/hats+off+to" target="_blank" rel="alternative">hats off to", "<a href="/s/congratulations+to" target="_blank" rel="alternative">congratulations to", or "<a href="/s/well+done+to" target="_blank" rel="alternative">well done to".

Is it correct to say "Kudos for" or "Kudos to"?

Both are used, but they serve different functions. Use "Kudos to" followed by the recipient of the praise (e.g., "Kudos to Jane"). Use 'Kudos for' followed by the reason for the praise (e.g., 'Kudos for your hard work').

Is "Kudos to" too informal for business writing?

It is generally considered 'neutral'—appropriate for internal business communications, LinkedIn posts, and professional journalism. However, for extremely formal academic papers or legal documents, you might prefer "<a href="/s/recognition+goes+to" target="_blank" rel="alternative">recognition goes to" instead.