be commended by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be commended by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing that someone is praised or recognized by another person or group for their actions or achievements. Example: "She was commended by her supervisor for her outstanding performance on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

All that it took for the Pakistani president to be commended by Brown as a "key ally in combating terrorism" was a banal pledge to ensure "credible elections", a form of words publicly accepted by No 10 despite Musharraf having used speeches in the UK and elsewhere in Europe to deride democracy and its institutions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Publisher Gwen Kelly must be commended by all for her absolute conviction and hard work in taking stewardship of the "Jazz Bible," Hot House, a monthly print (yes that still exists--print) and on-line magazine.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

For this concept of mind, Anaxagoras was commended by Aristotle.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Both the officers involved had previously been commended by the police by bravery in different acts".

Independent

The district's public schools are highly regarded: in 2012, 15 were commended by the State Department of Education.

The New York Times

Her recent Jools Holland performance was commended by some, derided by others.

The Guardian - Music

It was commended by the judges for its "fantastic" opportunity for all agenda.

The Guardian

Far from being commended by his bosses for his honesty, Schnackenberg said that he was reprimanded.

The New Yorker

I'm proud that Lincoln's fidelity to and illumination of history has been commended by many Lincoln scholars.

The New York Times

And this year the school was one of two for disadvantaged children that were commended by the Georgia Board of Education.

The New York Times

These résumés were commended by the press when Mr. Bush took office, much as Mr. McNamara's had been 40 years earlier.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be commended by" when you want to emphasize the source of the praise or recognition. This construction is particularly useful when the commendation comes from a respected or authoritative figure or institution.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice in your writing. While "be commended by" is grammatically correct, ensure that the active voice is used where appropriate to make your writing more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be commended by" functions as a passive verb construction. It indicates that the subject of the sentence received praise or approval, and it highlights the source from which that praise originated. As shown by Ludwig, this indicates that the praise came from someone specific.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be commended by" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that someone or something has received praise or approval from a specific source. Ludwig AI indicates that it is most often used in neutral contexts, such as in news reporting, and is suitable when the source of the commendation is important to highlight. While alternatives like "receive praise from" exist, "be commended by" often suggests a more formal recognition. When writing, be mindful of overusing passive voice and consider whether active voice might be more direct and engaging. While "be commended by" is valid and useful, vary your phrasing to maintain engaging and dynamic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

receive praise from

This alternative is a more direct and straightforward way to express commendation.

be lauded by

This alternative suggests a higher degree of formal praise and admiration.

earn accolades from

This phrase implies receiving awards or special recognition for achievements.

gain approval from

This alternative focuses on receiving a positive judgment or endorsement.

be recognized by

This alternative is a more general term for receiving acknowledgment or notice.

be appreciated by

This suggests that someone's efforts or qualities are valued by another.

win the admiration of

This alternative emphasizes the positive emotional response of the person giving the commendation.

be esteemed by

This alternative suggests being held in high regard or respect.

be honored by

This phrase emphasizes receiving a formal mark of respect or distinction.

garner commendation from

This alternative focuses on gathering positive feedback from a specific source.

FAQs

How can I use "be commended by" in a sentence?

You can use "be commended by" to indicate that someone or something has received praise or approval from a particular entity. For example, "The project was commended by the committee for its innovative approach".

What are some alternatives to "be commended by"?

Alternatives include "receive praise from", "be lauded by", or "earn accolades from", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when expressing commendation?

While both active and passive voice can be used, active voice (e.g., "The committee commended the project") is often more direct and engaging. Passive voice ("The project was commended by the committee") can be useful when you want to emphasize the recipient of the commendation or when the source is already known.

What's the difference between "be commended by" and "be praised by"?

While similar, "be commended by" often suggests a more formal or official recognition than "be praised by". Commendation often comes from an authority or organization, while praise can be more general.