Someone You Know Gave You a Compliment

In the land of Japan, being told that your face up is minor is very high praise for a woman. In Russia, if someone tells you that you look like a cucumber, it ways that you wait healthy and fresh. And if someone calls you lot an old pot in Cameroon, information technology ways you are a wonderful melt.

All of these are examples of compliments – words of praise.

And, as you tin can meet, there are differences amongst places and cultures nearly what is believed to be complimentary. Merely nigh people agree that giving a compliment is a nice thing to do.

In today's plan, nosotros'll bear witness you some mutual language Americans use to requite compliments.

Appearance

Let's intermission the discussion into three sections: appearance, abilities and possessions.

We will begin with appearance. This includes the way a person looks, the apparel they wear and their hairstyle.

You may have already used some of these common language structures for praising someone's advent. Others may be new. For instance:

• You are / await + adjective
  ...as in "You are beautiful" and "You wait great today!"
  
• A closely related structure just adds a noun
  …as in "You are a beautiful person"

In fact, this structure is also common for praising someone'due south abilities, every bit I will return to soon.

Other common structures for complimenting appearance are:

• I similar / love + noun
  …as in "I beloved that bag!" and "I really similar your hair."
  
• And: What a + describing word + noun
  …as in "What a fun tie!" and "What a pretty dress!"
  

Pictured here is an array of colorful ties, too called neckties.

​Listen to a curt exchange:

Ooh, what a fun tie! Where did you get it?

Oh, thank you! I got information technology at a store on 14th Street.

Abilities

We can too compliment someone'south character, abilities or efforts.

Hither'south a structure you heard earlier:

• Yous are + adjective + noun
  …equally in "You are such a hard worker" and "You really are an amazing cook!"

Annotation that I added the words "such" and "actually." These adverbs and others, like "very" and "and so," can add together strength to compliments.

• Next is: You tin actually + verb
  …as in "Wow, you can actually sing!"
  
• You lot are neat at + noun / gerund
  …every bit in "You're smashing at bringing people together" and "Y'all're not bad at math."
  
• And: You lot make a / an + adjective + noun
  …equally in "You make a fine leader" and "You make a very loving partner."

Listen to a short exchange:

I'k coming together so many interesting people. Sam, you're groovy at bringing people together.

That's a prissy affair to say. Thank you! And I'm glad you lot're here.

There are many ways to compliment someone'south unique talents, or their social or professional abilities.

​Possessions

Americans too compliment people on their possessions, such as a person'due south habitation (or things inside the home), machine, wheel, electronics or countless other possessions. We might offer the compliment in any of these ways:

• Nice + noun
  …as in "Overnice bike!" and "Nice phone!"
  
• I love / like your + noun
  …every bit in "I similar your dining set up" and "I love this painting."
  
• Or: What a + adjective + noun
  …as in "What a cute home" or "What a beautiful dwelling house you accept."

Listen to a short exchange:

What a beautiful dwelling you lot take! How long have you lot lived here?

Oh, cheers! For about three years now.

Receiving compliments

Some people may feel uneasy receiving attention and may deny the compliment in some way. But many receive them easily. A simple "Cheers" with a smile is a gracious way to answer a compliment.

Y'all can also compliment in return by maxim, "That'south very kind of you" "How nice of you" or "What a nice thing to say."

Exist sincere

Depending on the social customs where you live, some compliments may exist not be received as such. And sometimes, they shouldn't be. People can make backhanded, inappropriate or insincere comments that they try to laissez passer as compliments.

A "backhanded compliment" is one that may exist meant or understood every bit an insult. Someone might say, for instance, "You wait peachy. Wow, I didn't recognize you!" This can suggest that the compliment-giver thinks the person rarely looks groovy.

Other compliments are considered unacceptable. For example, in the U.S., it is often inappropriate to comment on concrete advent in the workplace. This is especially true when a man comments on a woman'southward advent. Only it is adequate for people to compliment each other at work about work.

Some other kind of praise is flattery – excessive compliments that are often given in self-interest. An example is praising your supervisor or professor in hopes of gaining better pay or grades. Information technology might work on some people but insincerity tin exist hard to hide.

So it'due south always best to follow the first rule of giving compliments: Always be sincere!

I'g Alice Bryant.

Alice Bryant wrote this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.

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Exercise

i - Did you know that World Compliment Twenty-four hour period is March i, 2019? Nosotros gloat by giving compliments to friends, coworkers, family and others. Who are some people yous would like to give compliments to? Here's my contribution: You are such a good listener! And your English is impressive.

2 - What are some compliments y'all have received near your appearance, abilities and/or possessions?

3 - In American culture, if someone uses the expression, "Yous look similar a million bucks," information technology is a very loftier compliment on physical appearance. It ways you look amazing. ("Bucks" is an informal word for dollars.) What are some common expressions that are compliments in your civilization?

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Words in This Story

cucumber – n. a long vegetable with nighttime green skin that is oftentimes used in salads or for making pickles

pot – n. a deep, round container that is used for cooking

necktie – due north. a long piece of cloth that is worn by men around the neck and that is tied in front with a knot at the top

grapheme – n. the way someone thinks, feels, and behaves

gerund – n. an English noun formed from a verb past calculation -ing

gracious – adj. very polite in a way that shows respect

insincere – adj. non having or showing true feelings that are expressed in an honest way

insult – n. to practise or say something that is offensive to someone

class – north. a number or letter that indicates how a student performed in a class or on a exam

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Source: https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/giving-and-receiving-compliments/4765785.html

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