can be commended

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be commended" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing approval or praise for someone's actions or qualities. Example: "Her dedication to the project can be commended, as she consistently goes above and beyond to ensure its success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The senator can be commended for his efforts.

The New York Times

However, explorers can be commended for visiting the area.

The New York Times

What he commended in the poet Marina Tsvetaeva – "the good force of creative mind at work in the light of conscience" – can be commended in him too.

The Guardian - Books

Britain can be commended as the only member state prepared to challenge Germany's continental dominance, based on the eurozone's current path to uncompetitiveness and personal misery of millions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Although as an account of the events of the war, the book can be commended, its explanatory framework is therefore anachronistic and incomplete.

The Economist

John Kerry can be commended for spending a lot of energy on talks, but his recent threat of "repercussions" if Assad doesn't stick to a ceasefire will have rung hollow.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

But this is fiction, after all, and since the book also never mentions O. J. Simpson or Tommy Lasorda, she can only be commended for her reticence.

The New York Times - Books

Consequently, the deontic sphere of morality is often taken as describing the minimal conditions of morality, the basic requirements of social morality that secure a just society, while the axiological sphere aims at higher ideals which can only be commended and recommended but not strictly required.

SEP

The DH ethical code of practice can, however, be commended for the role it had in starting a global debate on the ethical recruitment of healthcare workers.

Human Resources for Health

While I won't declare whether these changes are good or bad overall, Twitter can at least be commended for not royally screwing anything up.

TechCrunch

Walking out the door at 5 30 or 6 so you can be there for your family is to be commended.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can be commended" when you want to express formal approval or appreciation for someone's actions or qualities. It's suitable for both written and spoken contexts where a degree of formality is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "can be commended" in casual or informal settings, as it might sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler expressions like "deserves praise" or "good job" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be commended" functions as a verb phrase expressing approval or acknowledgment. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a correct and usable phrase in written English. The auxiliary verb "can" indicates possibility or permissibility, while "be commended" implies the action of praising or acknowledging someone or something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be commended" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to formally acknowledge and praise actions or qualities. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for expressing approval or praise, particularly in professional and neutral contexts such as news articles and analytical reports. While versatile, it is less appropriate in informal settings where simpler expressions are preferred. Alternative phrases like "deserves praise" or "should be applauded" can be used to convey similar sentiments, depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deserves recognition

Emphasizes the act of giving credit or praise.

warrants praise

Indicates that someone or something is deserving of commendation.

is worthy of approval

Highlights the positive judgment or acceptance.

merits acknowledgement

Focuses on giving due recognition.

should be applauded

Suggests public praise or admiration.

is deserving of credit

Stresses the right to receive acknowledgement.

has earned praise

Implies that effort or achievement has led to commendation.

is admirable

Focuses on the quality of being worthy of admiration.

commands respect

Highlights the ability to inspire respect.

is to be lauded

Indicates a high level of praise and celebration.

FAQs

What does "can be commended" mean?

The phrase "can be commended" means that someone or something is worthy of praise or approval. It's a way of formally acknowledging positive qualities or actions.

How to use "can be commended" in a sentence?

You can use "can be commended" to express approval of someone's actions. For example, "The team's efforts on this project "can be commended"."

What can I say instead of "can be commended"?

You can use alternatives like "deserves praise", "is worthy of approval", or "should be applauded" depending on the context. These alternatives offer slightly different nuances in expressing approval.

Is "can be commended" formal or informal?

The phrase "can be commended" is generally considered formal. For informal settings, alternatives like "good job" or "well done" are more appropriate.