praise someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'praise someone' is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to show appreciation for someone's effort or accomplishment. For example: "I want to offer my sincerest praise to my colleague for managing the project so successfully."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

It's never too late to praise someone after they have achieved something".

The New Yorker

To praise someone as a monster is also to call him a monster.

The Guardian

As polite compliments go, "clean" is rock bottom: if you want to not praise someone or something, praise its hygiene.

The New York Times

It's complicated to praise someone whose confidence already seems to be reinforced with steel and clad in granite.

The New York Times - Food

His general attitude, even in those shaky times, was to find something to praise, someone else's story or poem, someone's mettle as a friend, someone's wit or intelligence, someone's ferocity — this he especially admired.

The New Yorker

The album reaches a height of happiness in the upbeat "Jimmy," then finishes with the mighty "Geraldine," for which, he told me, he challenged himself to find as many superlatives to praise someone as he could.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Mr. Voskerijian became famous for his memos praising someone else's accomplishments.

The New York Times

In another message hinting at what lay ahead, Jonathan praised someone who was apparently pushing stocks on unsuspecting traders.

The New York Times

But plaques and letters and children's handwritten notes cover nearly every inch of available wall, all praising someone clearly without Pennsylvania Dutch roots; someone named Hamid.

The New York Times

If you write an article that praises someone to the skies, does that almost automatically mean that the art galleries will take notice?

The New Yorker

The parents of a boy at camp have been getting letters from him, nearly all of them praising someone identified to them only as Old 99.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "praise someone", be specific about what you are praising them for to make the appreciation more meaningful.

Common error

Avoid using generic praise like "good job" without specifying what was done well. Instead, highlight specific actions or qualities to make the praise more impactful and sincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "praise someone" functions as a verb phrase, where "praise" is the transitive verb and "someone" is the direct object. It indicates the act of expressing approval or admiration for another person. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

25%

Huffington Post

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Forbes

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "praise someone" is a grammatically correct and relatively common phrase used to express approval and admiration. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is used to show appreciation for someone's effort or accomplishment. It is versatile and can be used in a range of contexts, although it is most frequently found in news and media, and less frequently in scientific or academic writing. When using "praise someone", specificity is key to making the appreciation more meaningful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extol someone

Implies a more formal and enthusiastic expression of praise.

compliment someone

Suggests a polite expression of praise, often for appearance or a specific attribute.

applaud someone

Often used for public acknowledgment or achievement.

commend someone

Indicates formal praise, often from an authority figure.

laud someone

Implies a very high degree of praise and admiration.

salute someone

Shows respect and admiration, sometimes in a formal or military context.

honor someone

Acknowledges and celebrates someone's achievements or contributions.

recognize someone

Acknowledges someone's efforts and contributions.

acknowledge someone

Is a more general term that means to take notice of someone or something

give accolades to someone

Suggests bestowing formal praise and awards.

FAQs

How can I use "praise someone" effectively in a sentence?

Use "praise someone" by clearly stating who you are praising and what specific action or quality you are commending. For instance, "I want to "praise someone" for their exceptional leadership skills" is more effective than a general statement.

What are some alternatives to "praise someone"?

You can use alternatives like "extol someone", "compliment someone", or "commend someone" depending on the formality and context.

Is it better to "praise someone" publicly or privately?

The best approach depends on the individual and the situation. Public praise can be motivating for some, while others may prefer private recognition. Consider the person's personality and the cultural context.

How does "praise someone" differ from simply acknowledging them?

"Praise someone" involves expressing approval or admiration, while acknowledging someone simply means recognizing their presence or efforts without necessarily expressing a value judgment. Acknowledgment is more neutral, whereas praise is explicitly positive.