compliments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "compliments" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing praise or admiration towards someone or something. Example: "I wanted to extend my compliments to the chef for the exquisite meal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now string up in the trees, and look forward to compliments from your fellow campers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But we wanted to have a laugh tonight, for once, because it's the weekend," said David, 17. Fofana wore a jewel-blue dress to match her aquamarine hair extensions, and smiled shyly at David's compliments as they joined a group of sharply dressed friends at the Fatou Rose hotel, the town's crown jewel, whose tiled façade rises two storeys above the dusty streets.

The Guardian

Here the sweetness and crunchiness of the coconut compliments the salty, earthy flavours of the aubergine and noodles.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Greeting one another with the sort of hyperbolic flattery associated with female bonding, they bat away compliments with the requisite self-lacerating retorts.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

If someone compliments you on having written The History Boys, are you tempted to murmur "How very kind" and move on?

The Guardian - Arts

COMPLIMENTS come cheap in campaign season, but the officers standing at the back of the meeting still grin when the candidate announces that Los Angeles has the "finest police department in America".

The Economist

In a visit to Australia late in 2011, Obama startled the Chinese leadership but won compliments elsewhere with the announcement of a new permanent U.S. Marine presence in Darwin, on Australia's northern coast.

The Economist

IN THE day since her nomination, we've heard a flood of compliments about Elena Kagan from everyone who's ever worked with her, which includes much of the Democratic aristocracy.

The Economist

Atlantans are not particularly fond of hearing how things are done differently in other cities: if you must compare, balance criticisms with compliments.

The Economist

Mr Bergsten compliments the United States for its perspicacity in forging PTAs that can be opened wider in due course emphasising America's leadership, to be contrasted with the less public-spirited attitudes of the "inward-looking" EU.

The Economist

Since then I've been taking lessons in dribs and drabs.The nice thing is that Palestinians are so impressed with a foreigner who speaks any Arabic at all that I always get compliments.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When giving "compliments", be specific and sincere to make them more impactful and meaningful.

Common error

Avoid using "compliments" sarcastically, as it can be easily misinterpreted and damage relationships. Ensure your tone and context clearly indicate sincerity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "compliments" is as a noun, typically in its plural form, referring to expressions of praise, admiration, or good wishes. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct. For example, "She received many compliments on her dress."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

12%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

9%

Reference

9%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "compliments" is a commonly used noun referring to expressions of praise or admiration. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, highlighting its role in conveying positive feedback. With a neutral register, "compliments" is suitable for various contexts, as seen in news articles, encyclopedic entries, and everyday conversations. To enhance communication, consider specific and sincere expressions of "compliments", while avoiding sarcasm. Alternatives such as "praise" and "admiration" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expressions of praise

Substitutes "compliments" with a phrase highlighting the act of giving praise.

favorable comments

Replaces "compliments" with a phrase that focuses on positive remarks.

words of admiration

Replaces "compliments" with a more descriptive phrase, focusing on the act of expressing admiration.

appreciative words

Emphasizes the expression of gratitude or appreciation.

flattering remarks

Replaces "compliments" with a term that emphasizes the positive and pleasing nature of the statements.

accolades

Replaces "compliments" with a term that highlights formal praise or recognition.

positive feedback

Uses a more general term that includes any positive comments or evaluations.

good feedback

Substitutes "compliments" with more general expressions.

best wishes

Emphasizes conveying friendly and respectful feelings.

warm regards

Focuses on conveying friendly and respectful feelings.

FAQs

How to use "compliments" in a sentence?

You can use "compliments" to express praise or admiration, such as: "I received many "compliments" on my presentation."

What can I say instead of "compliments"?

You can use alternatives like "praise", "admiration", or "accolades" depending on the context.

Is it better to give general or specific "compliments"?

Specific "compliments" are generally more impactful because they show you've paid attention and truly appreciate something particular about the person or thing you're praising.

What is the difference between "compliments" and flattery?

"Compliments" are sincere expressions of admiration or praise, while flattery often involves insincere or excessive praise, usually to gain favor.