beyond praise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "beyond praise" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is so excellent or praiseworthy that it cannot be adequately praised. Example: The performance of the lead actor was beyond praise; his portrayal of the character was truly mesmerizing.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Arts

Food

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Daniel Day-Lewis's performance as Daniel Plainview, a wildcatter-turned-tycoon, is not only mesmerising (Slate's Dana Stevens describes it as "beyond praise").

The Economist

Levi would subsequently establish himself as the supreme conductor of the work, held by critical opinion to be "beyond praise".

Wikipedia

What the critics say: "Almost beyond praise.

The Guardian

Soups and vegetables are beyond praise.

The New York Times

Adam Nicolson's re-creation of this context is beyond praise.

The New York Times - Books

18 March 1892: 'Verdi's Aida is almost beyond praise'.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Barrett noted that beyond praising his ability, Amaker was also critical while recruiting him.

The New York Times - Sports

Beyond praising the sophistication and technical merits of his work, Rucha admires the scope of Varma's artistic reach.

University of California, Berkeley

President-elect Trump has not shown himself to be a friend of any form of diversity, beyond praising the taco bowls at Trump Tower Grill in a tweet.

University of California, Berkeley

In his stump speeches, Representative Rick A. Lazio has been virtually silent on welfare, and Hillary Rodham Clinton has said little beyond praising her husband's success in "ending welfare as we know it".

The New York Times

Quoting one of his Cornell colleagues I think the most important thing I could say about Alex, beyond praising his mathematical talents and contributions, is that he cared deeply about the profession of mathematics in the broadest sense: from department administration, to teaching, to mentoring graduate students, to helping colleagues, etc.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "beyond praise" to emphasize the exceptional quality of something, particularly when you feel conventional praise is inadequate. This phrase adds weight to your commendation.

Common error

Avoid using "beyond praise" for everyday compliments. Reserve it for truly exceptional achievements or qualities to maintain its impact and avoid sounding hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

"Beyond praise" functions as an adjective phrase that typically modifies a noun or pronoun, expressing that the quality or merit of something is so high that it surpasses ordinary commendation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Arts

18%

Books

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Food

6%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Beyond praise" is an adjective phrase used to describe something so excellent that it cannot be adequately praised. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct, though it appears with uncommon frequency. Usage analysis reveals its frequent presence in news, media, arts, and books, where it accentuates exceptional accomplishments. To use it effectively, reserve it for extraordinary situations. Alternatives include "incomparable" and "peerless". When used judiciously, "beyond praise" conveys profound admiration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

second to none

An idiomatic expression denoting the highest quality, emphasizing its supreme position.

unsurpassed

Implies the subject has reached the highest level of achievement, emphasizing its dominance.

peerless

Suggests the subject has no equals, emphasizing its superiority over others.

unparalleled

Similar to 'peerless', highlighting the lack of precedent or comparison.

matchless

Indicates the subject is without equal, stressing its outstanding nature.

incomparable

This term suggests the subject is so unique it defies comparison, highlighting its distinctiveness.

superb

Implies an elevated level of excellence, fitting for artistic or skilled performances.

outstanding

A more general term for exceptional quality, suitable for various contexts.

exceptional

Similar to 'outstanding', but may imply a deviation from the norm.

remarkable

Highlights the noteworthiness of the subject, emphasizing its ability to impress.

FAQs

How can I use "beyond praise" in a sentence?

You can use "beyond praise" to describe something of exceptional quality: "The chef's innovative cuisine was truly beyond praise."

What's a good alternative to "beyond praise"?

Alternatives to "beyond praise" include "incomparable", "peerless", or "unsurpassed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "almost beyond praise"?

Yes, "almost beyond praise" is grammatically correct and used to express that something is nearly deserving of the highest commendation, as demonstrated by one of Ludwig's examples.

What is the difference between "beyond praise" and "deserves praise"?

"Deserves praise" indicates something is worthy of commendation. "Beyond praise" implies that it's so exceptional, ordinary praise is insufficient. It denotes a higher degree of excellence.