have been congratulated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been congratulated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has received congratulations at some point in the past, often in a passive construction. Example: "After winning the award, they have been congratulated by many of their peers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Field staff and farmers have been congratulated!

Cornell University

Mr Marshallsea says he is "disgusted" by the way he has been treated and that instead he should have been congratulated for his feat of bravery.

Independent

The lobbyist also claimed to have been congratulated on his lobbying by the head of the NHS forum leading the listening exercise, Steve Field.

The Guardian

He should have been congratulated for that, because he has reminded everyone that the Manchester United "star" is indeed on the pitch.

The Guardian - Sport

But if you had said Don's last words would be "om" before a Coke commercial plays, you would have been congratulated for writing a funny and arguably very far-fetched Twitter joke.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"We have worked with the government to deliver the reforms and have been congratulated by Ofsted as being one of two authorities in the country who have interpreted the reforms in the right way by giving the support, intervention and challenge to our family of schools".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The authorities have been congratulating themselves on clearing away battle scars from Beijing's streets.

The New Yorker

And Thakoon Panichgul must have been congratulating himself on hearing Ms. Schilling declare of her icy white, perilously slashed apronlike gown, "Thakoon made it for me".

The New York Times

In the aftermath of what the government now refers to as the "Tiananmen… The authorities have been congratulating themselves on clearing away battle scars from Beijing's streets.

The New Yorker

— JOANNE C. GERSTNER It's been fun watching the reaction of the other finalists to Zonderland, as they have been congratulating him on the gold.

The New York Times

And colleagues in the business have been congratulating the publisher, or at least expressing their admiration for Mr. White's guts.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been congratulated" to emphasize the reception of congratulations, especially when the source of the congratulations is important to highlight. This passive construction is useful when you want to focus on the person or entity receiving the praise rather than the person giving it.

Common error

Avoid using active voice when the focus should be on the recipient of the congratulations. For example, instead of saying "Many people congratulated him", use "He has been congratulated by many people" to emphasize his achievement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been congratulated" functions as a passive construction indicating that someone has received congratulations. It highlights the state of being congratulated rather than the act of congratulating. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through various examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

15%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been congratulated" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive construction that indicates the reception of congratulations. Ludwig confirms its validity. It is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, formal settings, and academic discussions. The phrase effectively highlights the state of being recognized and praised for an achievement, and it offers a neutral tone appropriate for diverse audiences. While "have been congratulated" is a common and correct option, several alternative phrases like "were commended" or "received accolades" can be used to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received accolades

Emphasizes the receipt of formal praise or awards.

were commended

Focuses on the act of being officially praised.

earned praise

Highlights that the praise was deserved or worked for.

were applauded

Suggests enthusiastic approval or admiration.

were honored

Implies a formal recognition of merit or achievement.

gained recognition

Focuses on the act of becoming known for a positive accomplishment.

were celebrated

Suggests a joyous acknowledgement of an achievement.

were lauded

Indicates high praise or public acclaim.

were felicitated

More formal term for congratulating someone, suitable for official settings.

were esteemed

Highlights that someone is highly regarded or respected.

FAQs

How do I use "have been congratulated" in a sentence?

Use "have been congratulated" to indicate that someone has received congratulations, usually in a passive construction. For example, "The team has been congratulated for their outstanding performance".

What's a more formal alternative to "have been congratulated"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "were commended" or "were felicitated". These options are suitable for official communications and formal settings.

Is it correct to say "has been congratulated" instead of "have been congratulated"?

Yes, the choice between "has" and "have" depends on the subject's number. Use "has been congratulated" for singular subjects (e.g., "He has been congratulated") and "have been congratulated" for plural subjects (e.g., "They have been congratulated").

Can I use "have been congratulated" in contexts other than achievements?

While typically used for achievements, "have been congratulated" can also apply to other positive events or milestones, such as receiving an award, getting married, or reaching a significant anniversary. In these cases, you are acknowledging the positive event.