it was commendable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was commendable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express approval or praise for someone's actions or efforts in a specific context. Example: "Despite the challenges faced, it was commendable how the team worked together to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It was commendable that many people knew what was happening in Africa.

The New York Times

The experiment It was commendable that the Home Office decided to launch a pilot study of DTTOs before introducing them more widely.

The Guardian

The decision by Robert Gates, the defense secretary, to fire the top two Air Force leaders on Thursday -- after failures to secure nuclear weapons -- was as surprising as it was commendable.

The New York Times

Solome Lemma, co-founder of Africans in the Diaspora and the Africa Responds initiative on Ebola, a fundraising effort to support local organisations working on the issue, said it was commendable that Geldof was helping with the Ebola response, but questioned the initiative's "patronising" style.

The Guardian - Music

Mr Menon said it was "commendable" that Google was willing to work with other partners even before the product was commercially ready.

BBC

It was commendable that the whole performance was able to produce such a strong psychological effect on its visitors.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

In the run up to its IPO, it's commendable that Facebook is staying loyal to its users.

TechCrunch

It is commendable that UNICEF BCO has initiated measures to adapt its results framework over time to respond to contextual realities.

Unicef

Indeed, it is commendable.

The Guardian

Again, it is commendable that this is happening at all.

The Economist

It may be outdated, but it is commendable.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was commendable" to clearly and concisely express approval or praise for a specific action, decision, or effort. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "it was commendable" in overly passive constructions that obscure who is being commended. Instead of "It was commendable that mistakes were admitted", specify who admitted the mistakes: "It was commendable that the team admitted their mistakes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was commendable" primarily functions as an evaluative expression. It serves to express approval, praise, or admiration for a specific action, decision, or quality. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was commendable" is a grammatically correct and usable way to express praise or approval. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most frequently found in news and media, but also appears in scientific and formal business contexts. While not extremely common, it's a useful phrase to acknowledge actions or decisions worthy of praise. Consider alternatives such as "it was praiseworthy" or "it was admirable" for slight variations in tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was praiseworthy

Replaces "commendable" with a direct synonym, "praiseworthy", maintaining the same grammatical structure.

it was admirable

Substitutes "commendable" with "admirable", another synonym conveying a similar level of approval.

it was laudable

Employs "laudable", a more formal synonym for "commendable", indicating high praise.

it was worthy of praise

Rephrases the sentiment to explicitly state that the subject deserved praise.

it was deserving of recognition

Focuses on the idea that the subject's actions warranted acknowledgment and appreciation.

it was highly appreciated

Shifts the focus to the feeling of appreciation that the action or effort generated.

it was a credit to

Highlights that the subject's action brought honor or positive recognition.

it set a good example

Indicates that the action served as a positive model for others.

the action merited approval

More formally expresses that the action warranted positive judgment.

the undertaking was honorable

Conveys that the effort was morally upright and deserving of respect.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "it was commendable"?

Alternatives include "it was praiseworthy", "it was admirable", or "it was laudable", depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

How can I use "it was commendable" in a sentence?

"It was commendable" is typically followed by a 'that' clause explaining what action is being praised. For example, "It was commendable that she volunteered her time."

Is "it's commendable" interchangeable with "it was commendable"?

Yes, but "it's commendable" is present tense, while "it was commendable" is past tense. Use the tense that matches the timeframe of the action you're praising.

What is the difference between "it was commendable" and "it was satisfactory"?

"It was commendable" implies praise and approval exceeding expectations, whereas "it was satisfactory" simply means it met the minimum requirements. Commendable suggests something praiseworthy, while satisfactory means adequate.