it was laudable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was laudable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express approval or admiration for someone's actions or achievements that are commendable or worthy of praise. Example: "The charity's efforts to provide clean water to the community were truly laudable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

When luxury retailer Barneys New York launched its "Brothers, Sisters , Sons& Daughters" campaign last year, it was laudable.

Huffington Post

It was laudable, but it bombed.

The Guardian - Opinion

On one level it was laudable anti-elitism - a democratisation of art that encouraged the DIY ethic that underpinned punk.

The Guardian - Arts

In an interview, Dr. Loewy said that it was laudable for the mother to try to protect her child from illness but that the child's physical health was not her only responsibility.

The New York Times

Charles Brecher, the director of research at the Citizens Budget Commission, a fiscal watchdog group, said that mayors have long used workers paid by other agencies, and that it was laudable for the Bloomberg administration to try to make the budget accurately reflect who works for the mayoralty.

The New York Times

Kevin A. Hassett, director of economic policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative group, said it was laudable that the N.A.A.C.P. and other liberal groups were pressuring Mr. Obama, although he said their call for additional stimulus was wrong.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Parts of it are laudable.

The New York Times

In its way, it is laudable.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is laudable that the VA has made special notice of its younger caregivers and offers a truly great caregiver support line and website.

Huffington Post

It's laudable, but subjective categories can prove tricky.

The Guardian - Sport

It's laudable and predictable in equal measures.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was laudable" when you want to express formal approval or admiration for a specific action or decision. It's suitable for situations where you want to highlight the positive qualities of something.

Common error

While "it was laudable" is grammatically correct, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "that's great" or "well done" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was laudable" functions as an evaluative expression, specifically conveying approval and commendation. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in highlighting the positive aspects of actions, policies, or decisions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was laudable" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express formal approval and admiration, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is more common in news and media contexts. While its use is perfectly acceptable, be mindful of the tone and choose more casual alternatives in informal situations. Ludwig's examples help illustrate the breadth of scenarios in which the phrase can be correctly used, from commenting on policy changes to praising individual actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was commendable

Synonymous, with a slightly more formal tone.

it was praiseworthy

Emphasizes the deserving of praise aspect.

it was admirable

Focuses on the inspiring nature of the action.

it was worthy of praise

More explicit in stating the deserving of praise.

it was deserving of commendation

A more formal and elaborate way of expressing approval.

it was highly regarded

Highlights the positive opinion held by others.

it was respectable

Implies that the action met a certain standard of propriety.

it was creditable

Suggests the action brought honor or credit.

it was meritable

Highlights the action's value or worth.

it was estimable

Focuses on the worthiness of respect or admiration.

FAQs

What does "it was laudable" mean?

The phrase "it was laudable" means that something was worthy of high praise and commendation. It suggests that the action or behavior was admirable and deserving of recognition.

What can I say instead of "it was laudable"?

You can use alternatives like "it was commendable", "it was praiseworthy", or "it was admirable" depending on the context.

Is "it was laudable" formal or informal?

"It was laudable" leans towards a more formal register. In casual settings, simpler alternatives like "that's great" or "well done" might be more appropriate.

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

You can use "it was laudable" to commend an action or decision. For example, "it was noble that the community volunteered to help those affected by the disaster".