we commend them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we commend them" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing praise or approval for someone's actions or achievements. Example: "In recognition of their outstanding performance, we commend them for their dedication and hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"We commend them".

The New York Times

"They are both trying to move forward in difficult circumstances, and we commend them for that," Mr. Crowley said.

The New York Times

But we commend them and stand by them, as we seek to discern how we must express and apply the eternal truth of the gospel in the ever-changing world of our own generation".

The Guardian - Opinion

Naturalism is the mistake of thinking value terms like "good" straightforwardly denote the features in virtue of which we commend them.

SEP

"Given Facebook's ever-growing presence in the lives of people around the world, we commend them for releasing this report today - a release that has been a long time coming," it said.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

We're aware of the bills, and we will commend them, and we are very bipartisan in our approach.

Huffington Post

We therefore have every reason to believe that our goal of eradicating polio from Liberia is on track because of the great support of all our partners and we want to commend them all," Minister Coleman said at a press conference yesterday here in the Monrovian capital.

Unicef

"We support them and commend them for the message they are sending to our city that our children must come first.

Huffington Post

"They were way more aggressive than we were from the jump, and I commend them for that, they were on fire and kept the lead and they didn't let up at all".

The New York Times

Why? First, we don't always know how or why that person lost the weight for which we are commending them.

Huffington Post

"I don't want to rotate the squad, but the schedule we've got, it's ridiculous, but I can only commend them on the way they get on with the games and I've not heard a moaning voice".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we commend them" when you want to formally recognize and praise a group for a specific achievement or action. Ensure the context clearly indicates what they are being commended for to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "we commend them" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pompous. Opt for simpler phrases like "we praise them" or "they did a great job" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "we commend them" is to perform an explicit expression of praise and approval. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase directly conveys positive recognition for the actions or qualities of the individuals or group being referenced.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we commend them" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express formal praise and recognition. As supported by Ludwig, its usage is most common in "News & Media", "Formal & Business", and scientific contexts. While effective for conveying respect and appreciation in professional environments, it should be used judiciously in informal settings to avoid sounding overly formal. Alternatives such as "we praise them" or "we applaud them" may be more suitable in casual conversations. Remember to clearly state what is being commended to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity. Given the above, users can employ "we commend them" with confidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we praise them

A more straightforward and direct way to express approval.

we applaud them

Implies strong approval, often used for public acknowledgement.

we commend their efforts

Specifically recognizes the work or attempts made.

we salute them

A more formal and respectful way to show admiration.

we acknowledge them

Recognizes their contributions or achievements.

we recognize them

Similar to acknowledge, but can also imply awarding recognition.

we approve of them

Indicates agreement with their actions or decisions.

we support them

Expresses endorsement and encouragement.

we congratulate them

Formal way of giving praise, often after an achievement.

we admire them

Expresses respect and a positive regard.

FAQs

What's a more informal way to say "we commend them"?

In less formal contexts, you could say "we praise them", "we applaud them", or simply "they did a great job" depending on the situation.

How do I use "we commend them" in a sentence?

You can use it to express formal approval or praise. For example, "We commend them for their outstanding dedication to the project" or "We commend them on their successful completion of the task".

What's the difference between "we commend them" and "we congratulate them"?

"We commend them" generally acknowledges and praises effort or achievement, while "we congratulate them" is typically used after a specific success or milestone.

When is it appropriate to use "we commend them"?

It's appropriate to use "we commend them" in formal settings, such as official statements, business communications, or when publicly acknowledging someone's positive actions or contributions.