Cool MateMy compliments vs Praise
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
My compliments
FormalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Praise
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
Most formal: My complimentsMost common: Praise
| My compliments | Praise | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //maɪ ˈkəm.plɪ.mənts//🇺🇸 //maɪ ˈkɑːm.plɪ.mənts// | 🇬🇧 /["/preɪz/"]/🇺🇸 /["/preɪz/"]/ |
| Meaning | A polite way to say something nice about someone. | To say good things about someone or something. |
| Example | I gave my compliments to the chef for the delicious meal. | The teacher gave her praise for the fantastic project she submitted. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | give my compliments, receive my compliments, express my compliments | considerable, effusive, extravagant, be full of, be fulsome in, be gushing in, beyond praise, in praise of, praise for, a chorus of praise, a paean of praise, have nothing but praise for somebody/something, considerable, effusive, extravagant, be full of, be fulsome in, be gushing in, beyond praise, in praise of, praise for, a chorus of praise, a paean of praise, have nothing but praise for somebody/something |
| Antonyms | - | criticize, disparage, belittle |
| Common mistakes | Used too casually in informal settings., Confused with 'my condolences', which has a very different meaning., Not including a specific compliment makes it vague. | Confused with 'raise'; remember they have different meanings., Using as a noun instead of a verb; it's typically a verb., Saying 'praise to' instead of just 'praise someone/something'. |
| Usage notes | Used to express praise or admiration. Suitable in formal contexts or when giving feedback. Avoid in very casual conversations. | Used in various contexts, from formal situations like awards to casual compliments. Avoid in sarcastic or negative contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: My compliments vs Praise
What's the difference between My compliments and Praise?
My compliments: A polite way to say something nice about someone. Praise: To say good things about someone or something.
Which is more formal: My compliments and Praise?
My compliments is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: My compliments and Praise?
Praise is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
My compliments: I gave my compliments to the chef for the delicious meal. Praise: The teacher gave her praise for the fantastic project she submitted.
Can I use My compliments and Praise interchangeably?
Not always. My compliments and Praise 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.