a cable of congratulations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a cable of congratulations" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not a standard expression and may confuse readers, as "cable" is not typically associated with conveying congratulations. Example: "I wanted to send you a cable of congratulations for your recent achievement." (This would be better phrased differently.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In 1939 Moscow openly gloried in military cooperation with Germany for the destruction of Poland, "that ugly offspring of the Versailles Treaty," and Ribbentrop in his last plea quoted a cable of congratulation from Stalin as proof that the Soviet Union had not then regarded the war against Poland as an aggression.

The Economist

The president sent a telegram of congratulations.

The Economist

"A lot of congratulations, and a lot of excitement".

The New York Times

"I had a lot of congratulations, and that's it".

The New York Times

Ronaldo said Raúl had sent him a message of congratulations.

The Guardian - Sport

I have sent him a message of congratulations.

The Guardian

The next day, he sent her a lavish bouquet of flowers with a note of congratulations.

The New Yorker

There would even come a handshake of congratulations before the game had finished from Klopp.

Independent

Mr. Sarkozy's office never issued a statement of congratulations, leaving that to the Foreign Ministry.

The New York Times

In Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah sent a message of congratulations to the head of Egypt's Constitutional Court.

Independent

Members receive a card of congratulations, signed by the Dean of the College.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When conveying congratulations, opt for common phrases such as "a message of congratulations" or "a note of congratulations" for clarity and better understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "cable" in the context of congratulations unless you are specifically referring to a historical telegram. Modern communication methods render this usage outdated and potentially confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cable of congratulations", while technically understandable, functions as a noun phrase intended to express the act of congratulating someone. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrasing is not a standard expression in modern English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a cable of congratulations" is an uncommon and potentially confusing way to express congratulations in modern English. As Ludwig AI points out, it's not a standard expression. While understandable, the use of "cable" evokes an outdated method of communication (telegrams), making alternatives such as "a message of congratulations" or "a note of congratulations" far more appropriate. Therefore, while technically grammatically sound, "a cable of congratulations" is best avoided in contemporary contexts for clarity and relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a message of congratulations

Replaces "cable" with "message", a more common and general term for conveying good wishes.

a note of congratulations

Substitutes "cable" with "note", suggesting a written form of expressing congratulations.

a letter of congratulations

Replaces "cable" with "letter", indicating a more formal and detailed expression of congratulations.

a telegram of congratulations

Retains the historical context of "telegram" but suggests a formal and immediate delivery of congratulations.

congratulatory message

Uses a more concise phrasing to convey the same meaning.

expression of congratulations

Focuses on the act of expressing congratulations rather than the medium.

words of congratulation

Emphasizes the verbal aspect of offering congratulations.

greetings and congratulations

Adds a general greeting to the congratulatory message.

best wishes and congratulations

Combines best wishes with congratulations for a more comprehensive sentiment.

heartfelt congratulations

Adds an element of sincerity and depth to the congratulations.

FAQs

What is a more appropriate way to say "a cable of congratulations"?

More appropriate and common alternatives include "a message of congratulations", "a note of congratulations", or "a letter of congratulations".

Is it grammatically correct to use "cable" in "a cable of congratulations"?

While grammatically understandable, the phrase "a cable of congratulations" is not commonly used in modern English. It might sound archaic, as "cable" is rarely used for sending messages today.

When would it be appropriate to use the word "cable" in relation to congratulations?

It would be appropriate if you're specifically referring to a historical context where telegrams (cables) were used to send messages. Otherwise, use more contemporary terms like "message" or "email".

What does "a message of congratulations" mean, and how does it differ from "a cable of congratulations"?

"A message of congratulations" is a general term for any communication expressing good wishes for an achievement or event. "A cable of congratulations" implies a telegram, which is a less common method of communication today.