to be congratulated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be congratulated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when acknowledging someone's achievements or successes, indicating that they deserve praise or recognition. Example: "After completing the marathon, she is truly to be congratulated for her dedication and hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Still, Mr. Hynes is to be congratulated.

The New York Times

All architects are to be congratulated.

The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation

All are to be congratulated.

The New York Times - Arts

And that's why Mr Wiener is to be congratulated.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I expected to be congratulated for my fabulous good health.

The New York Times - Magazine

Certainly the CSC is to be congratulated for the attempt.

The New York Times

Ms. Wallach is to be congratulated on her article.

The New York Times - Arts

It is to be congratulated for consulting, listening, and acting.

The Guardian - Opinion

Professor Posin is also to be congratulated on a clever title to his article.

Cornell University

Katz and Darbishire are to be congratulated on their meticulous and wide-ranging study...

Cornell University

She is innovative but conveys no wish to be congratulated on it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be congratulated" when you want to emphasize that someone's achievements warrant recognition and praise. It's particularly effective in formal contexts or when highlighting specific accomplishments.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice constructions like "to be congratulated" when active voice would create a more direct and engaging sentence. For instance, instead of "He is to be congratulated", consider "We congratulate him" for a more impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be congratulated" functions as a passive infinitive construction, indicating that someone is the recipient of congratulations. Ludwig examples show its usage across diverse contexts, emphasizing recognition of achievements or actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be congratulated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that someone deserves praise or recognition for an achievement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for formal and neutral contexts, particularly in news, science, and business domains. While alternatives like "deserves praise" or "should be applauded" exist, "to be congratulated" maintains a sense of formality and is best used when emphasizing the significance of the accomplishment. While generally correct, remember to use active voice for more direct communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deserving of praise

This alternative shifts the focus to the worthiness of praise, rather than the act of congratulating.

should be applauded

This alternative uses the verb "applauded", suggesting public approval and praise.

worthy of commendation

This alternative uses a more formal term, "commendation", implying official recognition.

to be lauded

This alternative is a more literary and emphatic way of expressing praise.

merits recognition

This alternative emphasizes the right to be acknowledged for an accomplishment.

deserves accolades

This alternative suggests a higher level of recognition, often for significant achievements.

to be celebrated

This alternative focuses on the joyful aspect of acknowledging success.

credit is due

This alternative recognizes achievement by ascribing value and merit.

one must offer congratulations

This alternative adds a sense of obligation or formality to the act of congratulating.

to be esteemed

This alternative suggests a high level of respect and admiration for the person or achievement.

FAQs

How can I use "to be congratulated" in a sentence?

You can use "to be congratulated" to express that someone deserves praise for something. For example: "She is "to be congratulated" on her outstanding performance."

What are some alternatives to "to be congratulated"?

Alternatives include "deserves praise", "worthy of commendation", or "should be applauded", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when congratulating someone?

While "to be congratulated" (passive) is correct, using active voice (e.g., "We congratulate you") can often sound more direct and personal. The best choice depends on the desired emphasis and context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "to be congratulated"?

The phrase "to be congratulated" is suitable in formal settings, official announcements, or when emphasizing the significance of an achievement. In more informal situations, simpler phrases like "congrats" or "well done" may be more appropriate.