commending

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commending" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing praise or approval for someone's actions or achievements. Example: "The manager was commending the team for their hard work and dedication during the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The country owed Cafferkey and the other volunteers an enormous debt of gratitude, said Hunt. "I know the whole house will join me in wishing Pauline well and commending her and her NHS colleagues for the exceptional bravery they showed in joining the battle against Ebola in Sierra Leone," he said.

The Guardian

As early as 1956, taking advantage of Nikita Khrushchev's de-Stalinising speech to the 20th party congress, Burlatsky co-authored with his close friend Georgy Shakhnazarov a newspaper article commending the study of sociology and calling for an end to dogmatism in the social sciences.

The Guardian

The Iranian government paid a rare compliment to America by commending its diplomat for showing "respect", but it still refused to freeze its enrichment programme in return for a freeze of economic sanctions imposed on Iran.Postcards from the edgeBarack Obama embarked on a fact-finding foreign-policy expedition.

The Economist

A vote in the European Parliament on April 15th, commending the pope's statement and urging Turkey to recognise the massacres as genocide, further infuriated Mr Erdogan.

The Economist

Fichte's name and preface were accidentally omitted from the first edition, and the work was ascribed by its earliest readers to Kant himself; when Kant corrected the mistake while commending the essay, Fichte's reputation was made.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Its masterly realism—"the faithful representing of commonplace things"—brought to English fiction the same truthful observation of minute detail that John Ruskin was commending in the Pre-Raphaelites.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Did they envision their darling son settling down with someone who bakes hearty lasagnes while commending the financial wisdom of George Osborne, instead of an anti-austerity committed leftist who once ate an entire child's birthday cake in an hour?

Independent

Commending them for being "really hard workers" who are "determined to get the job done," she added: "This needs to be recognised and supported, especially in the face of widening participation among non-traditional students and increased tuition fees which have decreased the number of mature students even applying to higher education".

Independent

I am not commending it as a way to think, but the song sums up a particular way of seeing the world which is very common, which is confused and afraid but also confident.

Independent

Party-goers at Casa Brazil in Somerset House congratulated the capital on a "job well done", commending the "brilliant" overall experience and "warm welcome".

Independent

These celebrations were not about commending German superiority, but revelling in the success of the present and hopes for the future; freed from the past and moving forward proudly as one.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "commending" to formally acknowledge someone's achievements or positive actions, especially in professional or official contexts. It conveys a sense of respect and appreciation.

Common error

Avoid using "commending" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "praising" or "applauding" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "commending" is that of a present participle or gerund form of the verb 'commend'. It's used to describe an action of expressing approval or praise. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English, primarily functioning as part of a verb phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "commending" functions as a present participle or gerund, primarily used to express formal approval or praise. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly found in news, encyclopedias and professional contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for formal settings; casual conversations may benefit from more relaxed alternatives such as "praising" or "applauding". This guide provides insights into its proper usage, common errors, and related phrases to enhance writing precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

praising

Focuses on expressing admiration or approval openly and enthusiastically.

applauding

Emphasizes enthusiastic approval, often in a public or performative context.

lauding

Highlights the act of publicly praising someone or something highly.

extolling

Suggests praising something with great enthusiasm and fervor.

acclaiming

Indicates widespread and enthusiastic approval, often in a formal setting.

endorsing

Implies giving formal approval or support to something.

recommending

Suggests advising or suggesting something as being good or suitable.

approving

Focuses on officially agreeing to or accepting something.

honoring

Implies showing great respect and admiration for someone or something.

celebrating

Highlights the act of acknowledging a significant event or achievement with joy.

FAQs

How can I use "commending" in a sentence?

"Commending" is often used to formally acknowledge someone's positive actions or achievements. For example: "The manager was commending the team for their hard work".

What are some alternatives to "commending"?

You can use alternatives like "praising", "applauding", or "lauding", depending on the context and the level of formality.

What is the difference between "commending" and "praising"?

"Commending" is generally more formal and suggests official approval, while "praising" is a more general term for expressing admiration or approval.

Is it appropriate to use "commending" in casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "commending" is more suitable for formal settings. In casual contexts, consider using alternatives like "praising" or "applauding" to maintain a natural tone.