should be commended

USAGE SUMMARY

"should be commended" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when praising someone for an accomplishment, e.g. "Their hard work and dedication should be commended."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It should be commended".

Independent

He should be commended.

The New York Times

"You should be commended".

The New Yorker

HRW should be commended for trying.

The Economist

But the defence, too, should be commended.

The Guardian - Sport

For that alone, Willstrop should be commended.

The Guardian - Sport

The 1994 prize committee should be commended.

The Guardian - Books

Still, this project should be commended.

The New York Times

Best Buy should be commended for its actions.

The New York Times

The BBC should be commended for making it.

Independent

President Obama should be commended for breaking with this anachronism.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should be commended" to formally acknowledge and praise specific actions or achievements, especially when you want to highlight their positive impact or significance.

Common error

Avoid using "should be commended" in casual conversations or informal writing. It's generally more appropriate for formal settings, official statements, or written evaluations. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "deserves praise" or "good job" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be commended" functions as a passive voice construction used to express approval or praise for a specific action or quality. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its correct usage in written English. Ludwig's examples show it's frequently used to formally acknowledge positive contributions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "should be commended" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to formally express approval or praise. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English. Primarily found in News & Media, Academia and Formal & Business contexts, it serves to publicly acknowledge positive actions or qualities. When using the phrase, remember its formal tone and choose more casual alternatives like "deserves praise" in informal settings. While similar to "should be congratulated", the focus of commending is on the merit of the action rather than the outcome or success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deserves praise

Focuses on the deserving nature of the praise, emphasizing the merit behind the action.

warrants recognition

Highlights the need for formal acknowledgment and appreciation.

is worthy of acknowledgment

Emphasizes the value and importance of acknowledging someone's efforts.

merits applause

Implies strong approval and public appreciation.

is deserving of credit

Focuses on giving appropriate credit for achievements.

should be applauded

Directly suggests that applause is an appropriate response.

is to be praised

A more formal way of expressing that someone deserves praise.

ought to be recognized

Suggests a moral obligation to acknowledge someone's contributions.

is deserving of accolades

Implies high achievement and the earning of prestigious awards or honors.

should be celebrated

Suggests a joyful and enthusiastic recognition of someone's success.

FAQs

How can I use "should be commended" in a sentence?

Use "should be commended" to formally express approval or praise for someone's actions. For example, "The team's dedication to the project "should be commended"."

What are some alternatives to "should be commended"?

You can use alternatives like "deserves praise", "warrants recognition", or "is to be praised" depending on the level of formality required.

Is "should be commended" formal or informal?

"Should be commended" is generally considered a formal expression. In informal contexts, alternatives like "good job" or "well done" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "should be commended" and "should be congratulated"?

"Should be commended" is used to praise someone's actions or qualities, while "should be congratulated" is used to express pleasure at someone's success or good fortune. Commending focuses on the merit of actions, while congratulating focuses on the outcome.