Commend vs Let's raise a toast

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Commend

Formal Beyond 10,000 (less common) B1 verb

Let's raise a toast

Informal Top 2,000 (common)

Most formal: Commend Most common: Let's raise a toast

	Commend	Let's raise a toast
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 //kəˈmɛnd// 🇺🇸 //kəˈmɛnd//	🇬🇧 //lɛts reɪz ə təʊst// 🇺🇸 //lɛts reɪz ə toʊst//
Meaning	To praise someone or something for a good job.	To drink together to celebrate something.
Example	The manager decided to commend the team for their hard work on the project.	At the wedding reception, we all stood up and said, 'Let's raise a toast' to the happy couple.
Register	Formal	Informal
How common	Beyond 10,000 (less common)	Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR level	B1	-
Part of speech	verb
Collocations	commend someone for something, commend highly, commend to the attention of	raise a glass, make a toast, toast to, raise your glass, offer a toast
Antonyms	criticize, disparage, denounce	-
Common mistakes	Confusing 'commend' with 'recommend'. They have different meanings., Using 'commend' without an object. It needs to reference what is being praised.	Using 'toast' as a verb instead of the phrase 'raise a toast'., Confusing 'toast' with the food item instead of the act of celebrating., Not providing a specific reason for the toast.
Usage notes	Use 'commend' in formal contexts, such as speeches or reports. Avoid in casual conversations.	Used during celebrations to express good wishes. Generally appropriate in casual settings but might be too informal in formal situations.

See it in real clips

Succession › S1 E1

So, let's raise a toast.

Let's raise a toast

Frequently asked questions: Commend vs Let's raise a toast

What's the difference between Commend and Let's raise a toast?

Commend: To praise someone or something for a good job. Let's raise a toast: To drink together to celebrate something.

Which is more formal: Commend and Let's raise a toast?

Commend is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Commend and Let's raise a toast?

Let's raise a toast is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Commend: The manager decided to commend the team for their hard work on the project. Let's raise a toast: At the wedding reception, we all stood up and said, 'Let's raise a toast' to the happy couple.

Can I use Commend and Let's raise a toast interchangeably?

Not always. Commend and Let's raise a toast are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.