praise them for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "praise them for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express approval or admiration for someone's actions or achievements. Example: "It's important to praise them for their hard work and dedication to the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And his manner of teaching was to constantly praise them for what they were doing right.

Princeton University

And the real world doesn't praise them for getting dressed in the morning.

The New York Times

We praise them for good work, but tick them off for bad work.

Independent

Even critics praise them for having no political agenda to advance their business.

The New Yorker

Would Peter McFarlane praise them for 'respecting their footballing past and philosophy'?

The Guardian - Sport

No, it's not Kraft and Coca-Cola (though I do praise them for being, in moderation, delicious cultural ambassadors).

Princeton University

Besides prodding them to go to school, the caller will also praise them for their improved attendance, when the numbers warrant praise.

The New York Times

German bosses certainly appreciated their employees, but they were not accustomed to praise them for their work in the way that Americans are typically praised.

Harvard Business Review

They fight alongside American Special Operations troops in Syria, and American military leaders praise them for bringing stable government to the areas they control.

The New York Times

Educators praise them for setting clear expectations, but many parents who chose to live in Pelham because of its well-regarded schools find them confusing or worse.

The New York Times

Chefs praise them for their taste, which is creamy enough to balance out acidity or spiciness but mild enough not to overpower other ingredients.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "praise them for" followed by a specific action or achievement to provide concrete and meaningful positive feedback. This helps reinforce desired behaviors and encourages continued effort.

Common error

Avoid generic statements like "praise them for being good". Instead, focus on specific behaviors or accomplishments. For instance, say "praise them for their thoughtful questions" to encourage critical thinking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "praise them for" functions as a verb phrase introducing the reason or justification for expressing approval or admiration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to highlight specific positive attributes or actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

27%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "praise them for" is a common and grammatically correct way to express approval or admiration, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It's most frequently found in news and media, but also appears across academia and general writing. For best practice, be specific when using the phrase to provide meaningful positive feedback. While versatile, more formal synonyms may be preferable in professional contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commend them for

Replaces "praise" with a more formal synonym, "commend".

applaud them for

Substitutes "praise" with "applaud", emphasizing enthusiastic approval.

credit them for

Uses "credit" instead of "praise", focusing on acknowledging their contribution.

recognize them for

Employs "recognize" in place of "praise", highlighting the act of acknowledging their merit.

laud them for

Replaces "praise" with "laud", suggesting high praise or celebration.

extol them for

Uses "extol" as a more elevated substitute for "praise", indicating enthusiastic and elaborate commendation.

give them accolades for

Expresses praise by referring to the giving of accolades, implying formal recognition.

sing their praises for

Uses the idiomatic expression "sing their praises", emphasizing enthusiastic and public commendation.

express admiration for their

Replaces "praise" with the more descriptive phrase "express admiration", focusing on the feeling of admiration.

show appreciation for their

Substitutes "praise" with "show appreciation", emphasizing gratitude for their actions.

FAQs

How can I use "praise them for" effectively in a sentence?

Use "praise them for" to specifically acknowledge positive actions or qualities. For example, "We should "praise them for" their innovative solutions and dedication to the project".

What are some alternatives to "praise them for"?

Alternatives include "commend them for", "applaud them for", or "recognize them for", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to "praise them for" effort or results?

It's beneficial to "praise them for" both effort and results. Praising effort encourages perseverance, while praising results acknowledges achievement and competence.

When is it appropriate to use "praise them for"?

It's appropriate to "praise them for" actions that align with desired values, behaviors, or goals. Ensure praise is genuine and specific to maximize its impact.