Praise vs. Commend — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 5, 2024
Praise is the expression of approval or admiration, while commend involves formally recognizing someone's achievements or qualities.
Difference Between Praise and Commend
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Praise and commend are both positive acknowledgments, but they serve slightly different purposes and contexts. Praise is often used to express admiration or approval in a broad sense, focusing on someone's actions, behavior, or general qualities. It is a direct, heartfelt expression that can be informal and spontaneous. Commend, on the other hand, implies a more formal recognition of someone's achievements or qualities, often with the notion of recommending them for others' notice.
While praise is a general expression that can be given by anyone to anyone for nearly any reason, commendation often comes from a position of authority or within a formal setting. For example, a teacher may commend a student's work to the school principal, or an employee might be commended for their dedication during a company meeting.
Praise can be seen as a tool for encouragement, fostering a positive atmosphere and motivating individuals to continue their commendable actions. Commending someone, while also encouraging, carries a sense of official acknowledgment and can sometimes be associated with awards, honors, or public recognition.
The act of praising is more common in daily interactions and can be as simple as complimenting a friend's cooking. Commending, however, might be used in situations where someone's actions or achievements are being highlighted for the purpose of setting an example or acknowledging exceptional effort.
Both praise and commendation are important in different contexts. Praise helps build confidence and self-esteem, while commendation not only does this but also elevates the individual's standing in a community or organization by formally acknowledging their contributions or achievements.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Expression of approval or admiration.
Formal recognition of someone's achievements or qualities.
Context
Broad, can be informal or formal.
Generally formal, often in official or authoritative settings.
Purpose
To express admiration or approval.
To formally recognize and recommend.
Commonality
Frequent in daily interactions.
Less common, used in specific contexts.
Association
Can be spontaneous and personal.
Often associated with awards or formal acknowledgments.
Compare with Definitions
Praise
A way to express approval or admiration.
I want to praise you for your hard work on this project.
Commend
Often comes from a position of authority.
The principal commended the students for their academic excellence.
Praise
Often spontaneous and personal.
Your dedication deserves high praise.
Commend
Associated with formal settings or acknowledgments.
She was commended by the board for her leadership.
Praise
Can be used in both informal and formal settings.
The coach praised the team's effort.
Commend
Formal recognition of achievements or qualities.
The soldier was commended for bravery.
Praise
Encourages and motivates.
Praise from her peers boosted her confidence.
Commend
Used in contexts of awards or honors.
The novel was highly commended by the jury.
Praise
Focuses on actions, behavior, or general qualities.
He received praise for his honesty.
Commend
Carries a recommendation to others' notice.
His work was commended to the selection committee.
Praise
Praise as a form of social interaction expresses recognition, reassurance or admiration. Praise is expressed verbally as well as by body language (facial expression and gestures).
Commend
Praise formally or officially
He was commended by the judge for his courageous actions
Praise
Express warm approval or admiration of
We can't praise Chris enough—he did a brilliant job
Commend
Present as suitable for approval or acceptance; recommend
I commend her to you without reservation
Praise
Express one's respect and gratitude towards (a deity), especially in song
We praise God for past blessings
Commend
Entrust someone or something to
As they set out on their journey I commend them to your care
Praise
The expression of approval or admiration for someone or something
The audience was full of praise for the whole production
Commend
To express approval of; praise
Commended the volunteers for their hard work.
Praise
The expression of respect and gratitude as an act of worship
Give praise to God
Commend
To represent as worthy, qualified, or desirable; recommend
I commend her book to you.
Praise
Expression of approval, commendation, or admiration.
Commend
To cause to be worthy of recommendation
There is much about her book to commend it.
Praise
The extolling or exaltation of a deity, ruler, or hero.
Commend
To commit to the care of another; entrust
Commended the orphans to the care of a guardian.
Praise
(Archaic) A reason for praise; merit.
Commend
(transitive) To congratulate or reward.
The schoolboy was commended for raising the alarm about the burning building.
Praise
To express warm approval of, commendation for, or admiration for.
Commend
(transitive) To praise or acclaim.
Praise
To express a feeling of veneration or gratitude to (a deity); worship or glorify.
Commend
(transitive) To entrust or commit to the care of someone else.
Praise
Commendation; favourable representation in words.
The writer's latest novel received great praise in the media.
You deserve praise for the hard work you've done recently.
She gave them some faint praise for their assignments, despite not being totally convinced by the quality.
Dim praise
Commend
(transitive) To mention by way of courtesy, implying remembrance and goodwill.
Praise
Worship.
Praise of God
Commend
(transitive) To recommend.
Praise
To give praise to; to commend, glorify, or worship.
Be sure to praise Bobby for his excellent work at school this week.
Some of the passengers were heard praising God as the stricken plane landed safely.
Commend
To adorn; to set off.
Praise
To commend; to applaud; to express approbation of; to laud; - applied to a person or his acts.
Let her own works praise her in the gates.
We praise not Hector, though his name, we know,Is great in arms; 't is hard to praise a foe.
Commend
(obsolete) Commendation; praise.
Praise
To extol in words or song; to magnify; to glorify on account of perfections or excellent works; to do honor to; to display the excellence of; - applied especially to the Divine Being.
Praise ye him, all his angels; praise ye him, all his hosts!
Commend
Compliments; greetings.
Praise
To value; to appraise.
Commend
To commit, intrust, or give in charge for care or preservation.
His eye commends the leading to his hand.
Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.
Praise
Commendation for worth; approval expressed; honor rendered because of excellence or worth; laudation; approbation.
There are men who always confound the praise of goodness with the practice.
Commend
To recommend as worthy of confidence or regard; to present as worthy of notice or favorable attention.
Among the objects of knowledge, two especially commend themselves to our contemplation.
I commend unto you Phebe our sister.
Praise
Especially, the joyful tribute of gratitude or homage rendered to the Divine Being; the act of glorifying or extolling the Creator; worship, particularly worship by song, distinction from prayer and other acts of worship; as, a service of praise.
Commend
To mention with approbation; to praise; as, to commend a person or an act.
Historians commend Alexander for weeping when he read the actions of Achilles.
Praise
The object, ground, or reason of praise.
He is thy praise, and he is thy God.
Commend
To mention by way of courtesy, implying remembrance and good will.
Commend me to my brother.
Praise
An expression of approval and commendation;
He always appreciated praise for his work
Commend
Commendation; praise.
Speak in his just commend.
Praise
Offering words of homage as an act of worship;
They sang a hymn of praise to God
Commend
Compliments; greetings.
Hearty commends and much endeared love to you.
Praise
Express approval of;
The parents praised their children for their academic performance
Commend
Express approval of
Commend
Present as worthy of regard, kindness, or confidence;
His paintings commend him to the artistic world
Commend
Give to in charge;
I commend my children to you
Commend
Express a good opinion of
Commend
Mention as by way of greeting or to indicate friendship;
Remember me to your wife
Common Curiosities
Is praise always verbal?
Praise can be verbal, written, or even expressed through gestures; it's not limited to spoken words.
Can anyone commend someone?
While anyone can commend, it often carries more weight when done by someone in authority or a formal setting.
Can commendation be given without an official award?
Yes, commendation can be a formal acknowledgment without physical awards, like being recognized in a meeting.
How can I effectively praise someone?
Be genuine, specific about what you're praising, and consider the context of your praise.
Does commendation always follow an achievement?
Typically, yes, commendation is given in recognition of specific achievements or qualities.
Is it possible to over-praise someone?
Yes, excessive or insincere praise can be counterproductive, leading to complacency or skepticism about the sincerity of the praise.
How does culture affect the perception of praise and commendation?
Cultural values can influence how praise and commendation are given, received, and interpreted.
What is the key difference between praise and commend?
Praise is expressing admiration, while commend is formally recognizing achievements.
How does praising someone affect them?
Praise can boost confidence, morale, and motivation, fostering a positive environment.
Why is commendation important in professional settings?
It formally acknowledges contributions, setting standards and motivating others.
Can praise be considered informal commendation?
While different in nature, praise in informal settings can serve a similar motivational purpose as commendation.
In what situations might someone be commended?
Achievements, exceptional service, significant contributions, or exemplary behavior.
How do praise and commendation contribute to a positive workplace?
They promote a culture of recognition, appreciation, and motivation, enhancing overall morale and productivity.
What's the impact of commendation on a person's career?
It can significantly boost a person's professional reputation and opportunities for advancement.
Can self-praise be as effective as receiving praise from others?
While self-praise can boost self-esteem, external validation often has a stronger impact on one's motivation and self-perception.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
