congratulate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "congratulate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing praise or commendation to someone for an achievement or special occasion. Example: "I want to congratulate you on your promotion; you truly deserve it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Instead the focus of everyone's attention was left to congratulate himself on his decision-making – "It was about the substitutes," Van Gaal volunteered – on an evening when the only real downside for United was the injury bulletin about Luke Shaw, Jonny Evans and Antonio Valencia.

The Guardian - Sport

People stop him in the street to congratulate him for it.

The Guardian

I think that I should write to congratulate you on your performance over the past 20 years.

The Guardian - Money

Related: Muhammadu Buhari: reformed dictator returns to power in democratic Nigeria John Oloyede, a legal expert and pundit on Nigeria's Channels television, said: "He is the first Nigerian ruler, head of state, to congratulate somebody who is going to take over from him.

The Guardian

"First and foremost we absolutely congratulate Inverness Caledonian Thistle on reaching the Scottish Cup final.

The Guardian - Sport

And none bother to congratulate it for its efforts.

The Guardian

While he tucks into a breakfast of rice pudding and a cup of tea on a sunny Thursday morning, a steady stream of people approach to congratulate him on his latest achievement.

The Guardian

"Yes, it's hurting but I do congratulate Gretna on their victory today and I genuinely wish them well in the Bell's Third Division".

The Guardian - Sport

Alert observers were quick to note that the first minister was among the first to congratulate the Weirs, from Largs in Ayrshire, on their record win: he has reportedly called them several times since their win became public in July.

The Guardian

"I would like to congratulate Stjarnan," he said.

The Guardian

I congratulate my friend Prince Ali for his admirable campaign and I take the opportunity to thank all the national associations who supported him".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use stronger synonyms like "acclaim" or "laud" in very formal academic writing when addressing a scientific audience.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions after "congratulate". It is more precise to "congratulate someone on something" rather than "for something".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "congratulate" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating who is being congratulated. Ludwig AI examples confirm its use in expressing praise or commendation to someone for an achievement or special occasion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "congratulate" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term for expressing praise or joy. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and widely used across various contexts. The best practice is to specify the reason for congratulating someone to add meaningfulness. While versatile, being mindful of context and appropriate prepositions is essential for precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offer congratulations

Focuses on the act of extending congratulations.

extend felicitations

A more formal and elegant way to express congratulations.

express admiration

Highlights the feeling of admiration for someone's achievement.

give accolades

Suggests bestowing honors or awards.

pay tribute to

Focuses on honoring someone's accomplishments.

offer praise

General expression of positive feedback.

recognize achievement

Highlights the acknowledgement of success.

compliment

A simpler way to offer praise.

applaud

Emphasizes enthusiastic approval and praise.

salute

Implies respect and admiration, often in a formal manner.

FAQs

How do I properly use "congratulate" in a sentence?

The typical structure is "congratulate someone on something". For example, "I want to congratulate you on your promotion".

What's a more formal alternative to "congratulate"?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "extend felicitations" or "offer congratulations".

Is there a difference between "congratulate on" and "congratulate for"?

While "congratulate for" might be understood, "congratulate on" is the correct and more widely accepted preposition to use.

What's the best way to "congratulate" someone in writing?

Be specific about what you are congratulating them on and express genuine enthusiasm. For example, "I was thrilled to hear about your award; please accept my heartfelt congratulations".