we congratulate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we congratulate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing praise or acknowledgment for someone's achievements or milestones. Example: "On behalf of the entire team, we congratulate Sarah on her promotion to manager."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We congratulate Pepsi," a Coke spokesperson said.

The New Yorker

We congratulate them and they played fantastically.

The Guardian - Sport

Should we congratulate him or Lord Black?

The Guardian

We congratulate God for being God.

The New York Times

We congratulate these banks for helping to lead the way.

The New York Times

Regardless, we congratulate you and your diligence, Joel.

The New Yorker

Whenever these liberal feats are accomplished, we congratulate ourselves.

The New Yorker

"We congratulate the whole nation (on the Supreme Court's order).

Independent

We congratulate the government for tackling this issue head on.

The Guardian

This is a well deserved appointment and we congratulate him.

The Guardian

"We congratulate Ms Smith on this well-deserved nomination.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we congratulate", ensure the context clearly specifies who is being congratulated and for what reason. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity in your message.

Common error

Avoid using "we congratulate" in overly casual or informal contexts. Opt for simpler expressions like "congrats" or "well done" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we congratulate" functions as a performative utterance, explicitly expressing congratulations on behalf of a group. It serves to formally acknowledge and celebrate an achievement or success. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we congratulate" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to formally acknowledge and celebrate achievements. As indicated by Ludwig, it is most commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts, maintaining a professional and neutral register. While highly effective, its formality should be considered, especially in casual settings where simpler expressions may be more appropriate. Recognizing this, and with the help of Ludwig, this ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we recognize and congratulate

This alternative emphasizes both the recognition and the congratulatory aspect.

we offer congratulations

This version is a more formal and direct way of congratulating someone.

we extend our congratulations

This expresses a broader, more inclusive gesture of congratulation.

we commend highly

This alternative intensifies the level of praise and approval.

we commend

This alternative implies a more formal and official approval or praise.

we applaud

This phrase suggests strong approval and admiration, often for a public achievement.

we celebrate

This option highlights the joyous aspect of an achievement or milestone.

we salute

This expresses deep respect and admiration, often used for significant accomplishments or service.

we give our praise

This option focuses on offering admiration and acclaim for a job well done.

we acknowledge

This phrase focuses on recognizing and accepting an achievement or contribution.

FAQs

How can I use "we congratulate" in a sentence?

Use "we congratulate" to formally acknowledge someone's accomplishment or achievement. For instance, "We congratulate the team on their outstanding performance this quarter".

What are some alternatives to saying "we congratulate"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "we commend", "we applaud", or "we recognize and congratulate".

Is "we congratulate" suitable for informal communication?

While grammatically correct, "we congratulate" is generally more formal. In informal settings, consider using simpler alternatives such as "congrats" or "well done".

What is the difference between "we congratulate" and "we commend"?

"We congratulate" is a general expression of acknowledging someone's success, while "we commend" often implies a more formal and official approval or praise.