are congratulated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are congratulated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to individuals or groups receiving congratulations for an achievement or milestone. Example: "The students are congratulated for their outstanding performance in the competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"We are congratulated for having plastic surgery".

The New Yorker

If you are to "pass" as heterosexual you are congratulated by gay and straight allies alike.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Try being in an actual war!" are congratulated on a category mistake so fatuous that even the toy lions are too bright to make it.

The Guardian - Sport

It's hardly news that single fathers are congratulated for their selfless devotion, in notable contrast to single mothers, and no one could accuse Parsons of having downplayed his own moral high ground in raising Bobby.

The Guardian - Books

That same evening, after having neatly knocked off their target, the two hit men meet with the rest of their mob family and are congratulated on "a beautiful ride". The setting for this is a place called the King's Roost, where each arriving mobster gives a pat on the cheek - a hard pat on the cheek - to a doorman who wears a full suit of armor.

The New York Times

The three wake up again on the TARDIS where they are congratulated by the Dream Lord, who then reactivates the TARDIS.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

All of the people are congratulating each other".

The New York Times

Everywhere I go people are congratulating me.

Huffington Post

"Everywhere you go, people are congratulating you," he said.

Los Angeles Times

The media are congratulating him for his putative "courage".

Huffington Post

All architects are to be congratulated.

The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are congratulated", ensure the subject clearly identifies who is receiving the congratulations. For example, "The team members are congratulated for their victory" is clearer than "They are congratulated."

Common error

Avoid using "are congratulated" in sentences where it's unclear who is doing the congratulating. This can make the sentence vague and less impactful. Instead, consider rephrasing to use an active voice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are congratulated" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is the recipient of congratulations. Ludwig shows that this phrase is commonly used to express that individuals or groups are receiving positive acknowledgment for an achievement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

13%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are congratulated" is a common and grammatically correct passive verb phrase used to express that someone is receiving congratulations. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts, from news and media to formal business settings. When writing, ensure the subject is clear and avoid vague phrasing to maintain clarity and impact. Consider alternatives like "receive congratulations", "are praised", or "are commended" to vary your language. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "are congratulated" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

receive congratulations

Uses a more direct verb and noun structure instead of the passive voice.

are praised

Replaces "congratulated" with a more general term for positive feedback.

are commended

Suggests a slightly more formal and official form of praise.

are applauded

Implies strong approval or admiration, often in a public setting.

are celebrated

Focuses on the act of recognition and joy surrounding an achievement.

are felicitated

A more formal and less common synonym for "congratulated".

are recognized

Highlights the acknowledgement of an achievement or quality.

are honored

Indicates a high level of respect and esteem.

are given accolades

Suggests receiving formal awards or praise.

are esteemed

Implies a high degree of respect and admiration.

FAQs

How can I use "are congratulated" in a sentence?

The phrase "are congratulated" is used to indicate that someone is receiving congratulations. For example: "The graduates "are congratulated" for their hard work and dedication".

What's the difference between "are congratulated" and "receive congratulations"?

"Are congratulated" is in the passive voice, while "receive congratulations" is in the active voice. Both mean the same thing, but the active voice may be more direct. For example, instead of saying "They "are congratulated"", you could say "They "receive congratulations"".

What can I say instead of "are congratulated"?

You can use alternatives like "are praised", "are commended", or "are applauded", depending on the specific context and level of formality.

Is it correct to say "was congratulated" instead of "are congratulated"?

Yes, "was congratulated" is correct when referring to a past event or a singular subject. "Are congratulated" is used for plural subjects or when referring to a general or ongoing situation.