extend our congratulations

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "extend our congratulations" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to congratulate someone, such as when someone has achieved a milestone or has been celebrated for an accomplishment. For example: "We would like to extend our congratulations to John for achieving his college degree!".

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

We'd also like to extend our congratulations to Serge Yegiazarov '13SEAS.

Columbia University

We extend our congratulations to the happy couple and wish them well in their future life together.

The Guardian

If it will cheer him any in what may otherwise be a bleak period for him, we extend our congratulations on the terse, atypical communication he sent to John Foster Dulles approving the speech Mr. Dulles made before the Security Council of the U.N.

The New Yorker

Professor Antony Chapman, vice chancellor, said: "On behalf of the university, I would like to extend our congratulations to our former student Helen as well as her rowing partner, Heather.

BBC

Now that warm weather is here at last, it is time to wish our first year MBA's a happy summer break and to extend our congratulations to our graduating second years and all MMS students.

Duke University

President Barack Obama's press secretary Jay Carney said: "On behalf of everyone here... beginning with the president and first lady we extend our congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the welcome news we received from London that they are expecting their first child".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The HSUS extends our congratulations to Chimp Haven for this amazing milestone and looks forward to more great news like this in the future as the National Institutes of Health continues its plan to retire more than 300 federally owned chimpanzees.

Huffington Post

"On behalf of the PGA Tour, I would like to extend our warmest congratulations to Annika Sorenstam," Finchem said in part of a statement released after the round.

The New York Times - Sports

We were glad that Emily was able to share her experiences with prospective interns at the Haas Center's Cardinal Quarter fair on Nov. 13, and extend our heartfelt congratulations on her well-deserved award.

Stanford University

"We extend our sincere congratulations to all of the professors, universities and junior colleges on our top lists".

Huffington Post

While taking on this new role, we would like to extend our thanks and congratulations to our colleague and good friend Whitney Bauman for his excellent work with the Forum website and newsletter.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When addressing an organization or group, "extend our congratulations" is a polite and inclusive way to acknowledge their collective achievement.

Common error

While appropriate for formal contexts, using "extend our congratulations" excessively in casual conversations can sound stilted. Opt for simpler phrases like "congrats" or "well done" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extend our congratulations" functions as a performative utterance, where the act of saying it constitutes the act of congratulating. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and indicates its use in congratulatory contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Academia

43%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "extend our congratulations" is a grammatically correct and formally appropriate way to convey congratulations, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is commonly used in academic, news, and business contexts to express approval and best wishes. While suitable for formal settings, it should be used sparingly in informal conversations. Alternatives such as "offer our congratulations" or "send our congratulations" can be used depending on the situation. Remember to tailor your language to suit the context and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Extend our heartfelt congratulations

Adds "heartfelt" to emphasize deeper emotion.

Express our sincere congratulations

Adds "sincere" to emphasize the genuineness of the congratulations.

Offer our congratulations

Uses "offer" instead of "extend", slightly less formal.

Send our congratulations

Employs "send" instead of "extend", implying a transmission of well wishes.

Express our congratulations

Replaces "extend" with "express", focusing on the act of conveying feelings.

Convey our congratulations

Uses "convey" instead of "extend", suggesting a more formal transmission.

Offer our felicitations

Replaces "congratulations" with "felicitations", making the phrase more formal.

Send our best wishes

A more general expression of goodwill, less specific than a formal congratulations.

Pass along our congratulations

More informal way to express congratulations.

We congratulate you

A more direct and concise statement of congratulations.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "extend our congratulations"?

The phrase "extend our congratulations" is most suitable for formal or semi-formal settings, such as congratulating someone on a significant achievement, during official ceremonies, or in professional correspondence. In more casual contexts, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate.

What are some alternatives to "extend our congratulations"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "offer our congratulations", "send our congratulations", or simply "we congratulate you". The best choice depends on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "extend our congratulations" differ from "offer our congratulations"?

While both phrases are similar, "extend our congratulations" often implies a slightly more formal and emphatic expression of goodwill compared to "offer our congratulations". The difference is subtle, but "extend" suggests a more deliberate and significant gesture.

Is it grammatically correct to say "extend our congratulations to" someone?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The full phrase is typically "extend our congratulations to [name/group] on [achievement]". For example, "We extend our congratulations to the team on their successful project completion."