be congratulated for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be congratulated for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when acknowledging someone's achievements or accomplishments, indicating that they deserve praise or recognition. Example: "She should be congratulated for her outstanding performance in the competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The Massachusetts governor and Legislature should be congratulated for configuring a plan that is actually workable.

The New York Times

But she says NSF should still be congratulated for taking a leadership role on the issue.

Science Magazine

They should be congratulated for that.

The Guardian - Sport

I expected to be congratulated for my fabulous good health.

The New York Times - Magazine

Certainly the CSC is to be congratulated for the attempt.

The New York Times

If nothing else Tony Blair should be congratulated for this.

The Guardian

It is to be congratulated for consulting, listening, and acting.

The Guardian - Opinion

Starbucks should be congratulated for helping us recycle our coins and reduce our mounds of change.

The New York Times

Stubb said Britain should be congratulated for its past support for EU enlargement into eastern Europe.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The authors should be congratulated for the rigorous setup and environmental sampling in this study.

Critical Care

The authors must be congratulated for studying the use of less invasive hemodynamic monitoring in such a challenging population.

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be congratulated for", clearly specify the achievement or action deserving of praise to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The team should be congratulated for their innovative solution."

Common error

Avoid using "be congratulated for" sarcastically or ironically, as this can undermine genuine achievements and create a negative tone. Ensure your intent is clear to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be congratulated for" functions as a passive construction used to express commendation or praise for a specific action or achievement. Ludwig confirms its correctness, indicating that someone is deserving of congratulations due to their success or positive contribution.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be congratulated for" is a versatile expression used to convey praise and recognition for accomplishments. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and high frequency across diverse sources. Predominantly found in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts, this expression maintains a neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, ensure that the accomplishment deserving praise is clearly specified. To enhance writing, consider using synonyms like "be praised for" or "be commended for" to add nuance or formality as required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be praised for

Focuses more directly on the act of praising, implying approval and admiration.

be commended for

Implies a formal acknowledgment of someone's merits or actions, often by an authority.

be lauded for

Suggests widespread and enthusiastic praise, often in a public setting.

be applauded for

Highlights public approval or admiration, similar to lauding but often more immediate.

receive accolades for

Emphasizes the receipt of awards or honors as a result of achievements.

earn recognition for

Focuses on gaining acknowledgment and appreciation for one's efforts or accomplishments.

be acknowledged for

Highlights that someone's efforts have been noticed and recognized, even if not explicitly praised.

be celebrated for

Indicates a joyous and public recognition of someone's achievements.

be honored for

Suggests a formal and respectful recognition of someone's merits or contributions.

be credited with

Highlights the assignment of responsibility or merit to someone for a particular achievement.

FAQs

How can I use "be congratulated for" in a sentence?

Use "be congratulated for" to express praise or recognition for someone's achievement. For example, "The author should "be congratulated for" writing such a compelling novel."

What are some alternatives to "be congratulated for"?

Alternatives include "be praised for", "be commended for", or "be lauded for", each carrying slightly different connotations of formality and enthusiasm.

Is it appropriate to use "be congratulated for" in formal writing?

Yes, "be congratulated for" is appropriate in formal writing when expressing sincere appreciation for an accomplishment. However, consider using more formal alternatives like "be commended for" in highly formal contexts.

Can "be congratulated for" be used ironically?

While it's possible to use "be congratulated for" ironically, it's generally best to avoid this to prevent miscommunication. Sarcasm can easily be missed in written form, so it's safer to use clearer language.