generous praise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "generous praise" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiomatic phrase that can be used to describe praise which is generous or excessive. For example, "The professor gave me generous praise for my paper, despite some of its shortcomings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

His books have generally received generous praise from critics, though his most recent novel about Henry James, Author, Author, suffered from inevitable and unfavourable comparison with Colm Toibin's The Master.

The Guardian - Books

He closed his remarks with generous praise of his wife, noting that many generations of her family had served in the military and that she had patiently endured 29 moves with him during 35 years of marriage.

The New York Times

Mr. Christie's generous praise for Mr. Obama "reinforced that in my mind," Professor Baker said.

The New York Times

City Council leaders and budget watchdogs offered unusually generous praise for the mayor's plan.

The New York Times

The boys' behaviour and academic performance improved, and Rusty's headteacher showered her with "enthusiastic, generous praise".

The Guardian

Mr. Obama opened his remarks at the Grand Hyatt with generous praise for Mrs. Clinton.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

With its incredibly generous praises sang from a range of experts, it's no wonder we expect amazing results quickly and easily.

Independent

They were certainly more generous, praising his "messianic" drive and commitment to a "bottom-up" approach to quality on those roadshow trips with the NHS chief executive, David Nicholson.

The Guardian

Her former boss, CeeCee, is far more generous, praising Dupre's ability to move ahead after her role in the scandal.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Moynihans, on the other hand, are generous with praise.

The New York Times

Phillips could be generous with praise for a fellow coach.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "generous praise" to emphasize the extent and sincerity of positive feedback, especially when recognizing significant achievements or efforts.

Common error

While "generous praise" is appropriate for formal settings, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations. Opt for simpler terms like "great feedback" or "really appreciated" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generous praise" functions as a noun phrase, where "generous" modifies the noun "praise". It describes the nature or quality of the praise being given, indicating that it is abundant and heartfelt, as seen in the examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "generous praise" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to describe abundant and heartfelt commendation. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it’s an idiomatic expression suitable for formal and neutral contexts, such as news reports, academic papers, and professional evaluations. While the phrase conveys strong approval, it's advisable to use it judiciously in informal settings to maintain a natural tone. Alternatives like "lavish commendation" or "effusive accolades" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances. The sources analyzed, including The New York Times and The Guardian, demonstrate the phrase's consistent application across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fulsome praise

Emphasizes the abundance and completeness of the praise, sometimes with a hint of excess.

lavish commendation

Replaces "praise" with a more formal synonym and "generous" with a word implying abundance.

ample commendation

Suggests a plentiful or abundant amount of praise.

enthusiastic commendation

Replaces 'generous' with a word that highlights excitement and strong positive feeling.

effusive accolades

Substitutes both words with alternatives that emphasize enthusiasm and formal recognition.

abundant admiration

Highlights the plentiful nature of the admiration expressed.

high acclaim

Uses a more concise term for 'praise' and implies a high degree of positive recognition.

glowing tribute

Replaces "praise" with a term denoting respect and admiration, and "generous" with a word suggesting brightness and positivity.

heartfelt appreciation

Shifts the focus to the sincerity of the praise, rather than its abundance.

unreserved admiration

Emphasizes the completeness and lack of hesitation in the positive assessment.

FAQs

How can I use "generous praise" in a sentence?

You can use "generous praise" to describe positive feedback that is abundant and heartfelt. For example, "The film received "generous praise" from critics."

What are some alternatives to "generous praise"?

Some alternatives include "lavish commendation", "effusive accolades", or "glowing tribute", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to give "generous praise" or constructive criticism?

The best approach depends on the situation. While "generous praise" can boost morale and encourage positive behavior, constructive criticism can help improve performance. A balance of both is often most effective.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "generous praise"?

The phrase "generous praise" is suitable for formal contexts, such as official reviews, award ceremonies, or professional evaluations. In informal settings, consider using simpler expressions like "great job" or "well done".