praise

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'praise' is correct and is commonly used in written English.
It can be used to express admiration or approval of a person or thing. For example: "The teacher praised the student for her hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lest that sound like faint praise, he quickly qualifies it: earlier this week, in a day trip around Stockholm's record shops, he added 50 singles to his already mammoth Abba collection.

The Guardian - Music

There could be no arguing with the result, nor with the fact that Ipswich deserve praise for making Norwich work so hard for it.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr Martin Flannery, past chairman of the Tribune Group and Labour MP for Sheffield Hillsborough, said : "We accept it as a term of praise but we wouldn't like it to be interpreted to suggest South Yorkshire is a microcosm of some state in Eastern Europe".

The Guardian

Kasparov had praise, however, for his opponent – who was seen during their encounters in the early 1980s as the face of Soviet communism.

The Guardian - Sport

The women recall being given a tour by Maglio, who showered them with praise, and then – in a series of eerily similar episodes – would offer them a special wine or tea.

The Guardian

Instead Gove sneers at them, undermines them, devalues their professionalism, and saves his praise for the millionaire who graciously allows his name to appear on the school gates, and phones up in the morning to ask what the attendance figures are – but not until he has phoned round his stores and checked the previous day's sales figures.

The Guardian - Opinion

While Honor Blackman thoroughly enjoys herself at the OM fashion shoot and likes the clothes - the Alexander McQueen shirt, Miu Miu trousers and Banana Republic Oxford bags draw particular praise - she hates shopping for outfits herself.

The Guardian

To see such composure and comfortable passing craft at the age of 20 it was reasonable that the man he is compared to, Patrick Vieira, lavished him with praise.

The Guardian - Sport

So sure, we can notice, and even praise, the elegance of her cheekbones or her resemblance to Jessica Lange.

The Guardian - Opinion

Moscow rewarded Jaruzelski with high praise and expressions of confidence.

The Guardian

Remarkably, Ferguson even finds space to praise Cantona for showing "determination and strength of character in his handling of his prolonged ordeal".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "praise", be specific about what you are commending. Vague praise can seem insincere. Instead of saying "good job", specify "Your insightful analysis of the data was particularly helpful."

Common error

Avoid relying solely on general terms like "great" or "wonderful" when offering "praise". Provide detailed feedback to show genuine appreciation and understanding of the accomplishment.

Linguistic Context

Praise functions primarily as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it denotes commendation or favorable representation. As a verb, it signifies the act of giving commendation. As confirmed by Ludwig, the word is commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "praise" functions as both a noun and a verb to express approval or commendation. It's a commonly used term across various contexts, particularly in news and media as well as in formal business settings. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is grammatically correct and suitable for expressing admiration or approval. When offering "praise", be specific to ensure sincerity. Alternatives include "commendation", "accolade", and "admiration". While "praise" is generally neutral in tone, it can lean toward formal depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give commendation

Highlights the official or formal approval given for an achievement.

express approval of

Highlights the formal or official endorsement of something.

express admiration

Focuses on the outward expression of positive feelings rather than the act of commendation itself.

heap praise upon

Indicates an abundance of positive feedback or compliments.

offer accolades

Implies bestowing formal recognition or awards, making it more ceremonious.

extol the virtues of

Focuses on highlighting the positive qualities or merits of someone or something in a detailed manner.

show appreciation

Emphasizes gratitude and thankfulness in addition to recognizing merit.

sing the praises of

Suggests enthusiastic and effusive approval, often publicly.

pay tribute to

Suggests honoring someone or something, often after their death, but can also apply to significant achievements.

applaud

Implies approval often demonstrated through physical actions such as clapping

FAQs

How can I use "praise" in a sentence?

You can use "praise" as a noun, like: "The team received "praise" for their efforts." Or as a verb: "The manager "praised" the employee's performance."

What are some synonyms for "praise"?

Alternatives to "praise" include "commendation", "accolade", "admiration", or "appreciation", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to "praise" or "give feedback"?

While "praise" focuses on positive aspects, "give feedback" is more comprehensive and can include both positive and constructive criticism. Choose the term that best reflects the intent of your communication.

What is the difference between "praise" and "flattery"?

"Praise" is genuine and based on actual merit, while "flattery" is often insincere and intended to gain favor.