well done on

USAGE SUMMARY

"well done on" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is used to congratulate or praise someone for completing a task or achieving something. For example: "Well done on completing your degree! You should be proud of your accomplishment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

It was a meal at a restaurant in Northern France that should have been pretty simple but was SO badly done – essentially entrecôte frites, but the chips were raw and cold and the steak I got was well done on one side and raw on the other.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Well done on that one, Mr President.

The Guardian - Opinion

On Thursday, Ms. Quinn responded to questions about the payouts by saying: "A fair bonus for a job well done on the response to Sandy is one thing, but rewarding themselves based on the lockout is an outrage.

The New York Times

Rewarding young students with stickers for a job well done on school assignments is commonplace, but one New York school is doling out those coveted prizes for another type of good performance: holding it in.

Huffington Post

"He just said 'Well done on getting in and you'll love the team environment, probably one of the best weeks of your life'.

BBC

A lot of the French guys on the plane shook my hand and said: 'Well done on the World Cup.'" That acknowledgement of Warburton's stature as one of the players of the tournament should be renewed this Friday evening when, following his three-week suspension, he returns to play for Cardiff in their opening Heineken Cup game – at Racing Métro in Paris.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

So, well done BlackBerry on the certification.

TechCrunch

Well done guys," Rudd wrote on Twitter. .

BBC

Adam Momoniat on Twitter:  "Well done West Ham.

BBC

3. How well did scores on HrQoL and life satisfaction explain scores on evacuation kit activity?

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Well, don't count on it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "well done on", follow it with a specific achievement or task. This makes your praise more impactful and sincere. For example, "Well done on finishing the project ahead of schedule."

Common error

While "well done on" is generally acceptable, it can sound too informal in highly professional or academic settings. Consider using more formal alternatives like "congratulations on" or "commendable work on" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well done on" primarily functions as an idiomatic expression of praise and acknowledgment of someone's successful completion of a task or achievement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is appropriate for commending someone's accomplishments in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "well done on" is a commonly used phrase to congratulate someone on their accomplishment. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. While predominantly found in news and media, its usage extends to formal business and informal settings. For more formal occasions, alternatives such as "congratulations on" or "commendable work on" are recommended. Remember to follow "well done on" with the specific achievement for a more meaningful impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Excellent work on

Directly acknowledges someone's effort.

Congratulations on

More formal and direct in expressing congratulations.

Good job on

More casual and straightforward praise.

Kudos on

Less common, slightly more emphatic praise.

Nice one on

Informal alternative for showing respect.

Hats off to

Idiomatic expression of admiration.

Commendable work on

Highly formal and often used in professional settings.

Bravo on

Loanword alternative that emphasizes the performance.

You aced

Informal way to show respect and appreciation.

Credit to you for

Acknowledges the person's effort.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "well done on"?

For formal situations, you can use alternatives such as "congratulations on", "commendable work on", or "excellent work on".

How can I make my praise sound more specific when using "well done on"?

Follow "well done on" with the specific achievement or task you are praising. For example, instead of saying "Well done on the presentation", say "Well done on delivering such a clear and engaging presentation".

Is "well done on" appropriate for academic writing?

In most academic writing, "well done on" is too informal. Opt for more formal phrases like "congratulations on" or acknowledge the achievement directly in your analysis.

What are some informal alternatives to "well done on"?

Informal alternatives include "good job on", "nice one on", or simply "way to go", depending on the context and your relationship with the person.