as I congratulate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as I congratulate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing congratulations to someone while also sharing a personal sentiment or reflection. Example: "As I congratulate you on your promotion, I want to remind you of the hard work that got you here."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Because I get to know quite a few of the students at Oregon Tech, and because, as president, I get to award each one of them that walks at graduation a diploma, I see that same excitement, trepidation, commitment, and enthusiasm on the faces of each graduating student as I congratulate them.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

As I congratulated myself, I smashed the blade on the water ("catching a crab," in rowing parlance).

The New York Times - Arts

I was received with a friendly welcome as I congratulated the military leaders for what seemed to be a successful election, and then asked a number of questions.

The New York Times

As I congratulated myself on bringing my children to a place where they could commune so splendidly with nature, he then continued: "Or actually, it might be a helicopter".

Independent

So I congratulate TED as well as my friend and colleague, Sugata Mitra, on what is not just an important moment but also an exciting one for education innovation globally.

Huffington Post

I congratulate you as well, and look forward to a campaign that raises the important issues of our time -- reforming education, rebuilding our military and returning high standards to government.

The New York Times

Chess champion-turned-activist Garry Kasparov "I congratulate him [Putin], as well as the friendly government and nation of [Russia]... for being elected president of the Russian Federation".

The Guardian

Today, as I suspend my campaign, I congratulate him on the victory he has won and the extraordinary race he has run.

Forbes

"Nicely done," I congratulated him, as his phone rang.

Independent

As the Red Sox fans clapped, I congratulated them and nodded my head in appreciation at what Lester had achieved.

The New York Times

I congratulated them as they left, but considering how isolated we all were, I hardly noticed a difference when they were gone.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as I congratulate" when you want to express congratulations while simultaneously offering a personal observation or sentiment related to the achievement.

Common error

Avoid using "as I congratulate" in casual conversations. It is more appropriate for formal speeches, written correspondence, or professional settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as I congratulate" functions as an introductory clause, setting the stage for an expression of congratulations. This construction allows the speaker to frame their congratulations within a specific context or personal sentiment, which Ludwig confirms is correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Social Media

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as I congratulate" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for formally conveying congratulations, especially when coupled with a personal remark. While relatively rare in everyday speech, it finds appropriate use in formal and professional contexts, as shown by Ludwig's examples. It allows the speaker or writer to simultaneously express their congratulations and add a contextual layer or personal sentiment, enhancing the sincerity and depth of the message. For less formal situations, alternatives like "while I'm congratulating" or "when I congratulate" may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while I'm congratulating

Changes the conjunction from 'as' to 'while', emphasizing the simultaneous action.

when I congratulate

Simply using 'when' instead of 'as' to introduce the congratulatory action.

as I offer my congratulations

Replaces 'congratulate' with 'offer my congratulations', making it slightly more formal.

during my congratulations

Replaces the clause with a prepositional phrase, focusing on the act of congratulating.

while extending my congratulations

A more elaborate phrasing using 'extending' instead of 'congratulate'.

as I commend

Employs "commend" which has a slightly more formal and appreciative tone compared to "congratulate".

upon extending my congratulations

More formal and emphasizes the action of giving congratulations.

as I celebrate

Uses "celebrate" offering a broader expression beyond the congratulations alone.

in congratulating them, I also

Shifts the emphasis to the act of congratulating and adds a following action.

I wish to congratulate them as

By introducing the desire, this phrase expresses a more personal approach.

FAQs

How can I use "as I congratulate" in a sentence?

Use "as I congratulate" to formally express congratulations while adding a personal sentiment. For instance, "As I congratulate you on your graduation, I wish you all the best in your future endeavors."

What are some alternatives to "as I congratulate"?

Alternatives include "while I commend", "as I celebrate", or "upon offering my congratulations" depending on the context.

Is "as I congratulate" suitable for informal settings?

While grammatically correct, "as I congratulate" is more formal and better suited for professional or ceremonial contexts than casual conversations.

What's the difference between "as I congratulate" and "I congratulate you as"?

"As I congratulate" introduces the act of congratulating as a context for another statement. "I congratulate you as" emphasizes the act of congratulating itself, potentially followed by a reason or circumstance.