extolling

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "extolling" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when expressing praise or admiration about something, often in a formal or poetic way. For example: The old man spent hours extolling the virtues of his favorite books.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lucy Aitken Read, a blogger herself, is so pleased with the results of her ongoing no-wash experiment (two years and counting) that she has written a book extolling its virtues.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When it was founded 20 years ago, Garden Organic Ryton (formerly the Henry Doubleday Research Association) was ahead of its time, extolling the virtues of growing and eating food without the use of chemicals.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As danwilliamson says, it has been "so good to see people extolling the virtues of their cities.

The Guardian

Yvonne Scullion of Zenith, an agency which books advertising slots for firms such as BT, Burger King and Rover Cars, says the Radio Advertising Bureau, an industry body, has done well in extolling the virtues of radio advertising and has made it much easier to book slots on a number of stations without having to contact each one directly.

The Economist

The museum, which is still open, amounts to a lavish public-relations effort extolling nuclear safety, yet he remained fearful.

The Economist

No town, it seemed, was too small for the treasury secretary to make a speech extolling tax cuts.

The Economist

Its sections on modern history are a crude rehash of mainland propaganda, omitting any mention of the Cultural Revolution or the Tiananmen Square protests, and extolling the virtues of one-party rule: "multiparty politics could victimise people, whereas concentrated political power creates a selfless government and stable society".The curriculum has been a blunder.

The Economist

African leaders have been extolling the union's new vitality, for instance by vaunting its ambitious (though not yet effective) peacekeeping operations in such places as Sudan's war-ravaged Darfur province.

The Economist

On the day of Evans Hall's opening, the Yale University website was promoting a "new generation of online courses" and extolling the virtues of MOOCs.

The Economist

Gout was on the way to becoming the subject of a literary sub-genre all its own by the second century AD when the Greek satirist Lucian wrote two mock-tragedies, "Tragopodagra" and "Swift-of-Foot", ironically glorifying the disease and extolling its benefits.

The Economist

THE Sydney stock exchange usually confines its invited speakers to business figures extolling free-market philosophies.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "extolling" to add a touch of formality and sophistication to your writing when you want to express strong praise or admiration for something.

Common error

Avoid using "extolling" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler synonyms like "praising" or "complimenting" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "extolling" is that of a verb, specifically the present participle or gerund form. It acts as a verbal, modifying nouns or functioning as a noun itself, indicating an ongoing act of praising something greatly. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "extolling" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb form that expresses enthusiastic praise or admiration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most commonly found in formal contexts such as news and media, business, and academic writing. When writing, it's best to reserve "extolling" for situations where a formal and sophisticated tone is desired, and to use simpler synonyms like "praising" or "complimenting" in more informal settings. Keep in mind it's a versatile form that lends elegance to the art of praise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lauding

Uses a synonym with a slightly different nuance, suggesting formal praise or commendation.

hailing

Presents a more enthusiastic and public form of praise, often used in journalism.

praising highly

Replaces "extolling" with a more straightforward, less formal expression of praise.

commending

Offers a more formal and often official expression of approval.

singing the praises of

Employs a more idiomatic expression to convey strong approval.

exalting

Implies lifting something up in status or esteem through praise.

celebrating

Focuses on highlighting the positive aspects of something in a joyous way.

glorifying

Suggests praise that elevates something to a position of great honor or importance.

recommending strongly

Uses a more direct and less figurative way to express a positive endorsement.

promoting

Suggests advocating for something by highlighting its positive qualities.

FAQs

How can I use "extolling" in a sentence?

You can use "extolling" to describe someone praising the virtues or qualities of something, for example: "The article was "extolling" the benefits of exercise."

What is a good synonym for "extolling"?

Good synonyms for "extolling" include "praising highly", "lauding", or "glorifying", depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

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

"Extolling" implies a more elevated and enthusiastic form of praise compared to the more general term "praising". Extolling often suggests formally celebrating or glorifying something.

Is it appropriate to use "extolling" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "extolling" is relatively formal and might sound out of place in casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "praising" or "complimenting" are often more suitable.