Look at the photo above. What are they doing? How do you feel when you see someone play guitar well. Then what will you say to him? will you give a compliment?
In this lesson, you will learn how to give and respond to compliments.
Giving and Responding to Compliments
Compliment
is commonly used to give praise on something or what someone has got or done.
When you give a compliment to others, you encourage them to keep on doing their
best.
Giving Compliment
There
are several phrases which are usually used to give a compliment. But, you
should pay attention to its situations. Different situation may use different
phrase such as follows:
When you
want to give a compliment because of someone’s appearance, you can say:
§
It looks
nice on you.
§
You do
look nice in …. (mention what you see)
§
How
beautiful you are.
Example :
(Situation:
Andini’s aunt is getting married and she is wearing beautiful wedding dress)
Malvin :
“How beautiful you are in that weeding dress. I feel so amazed”
Wilona : “Thank you, dear.”
When you
want to give compliment because people have done their best, you can use these
phrases:
§
Good
Job!
§
Well
done!
§
That’s
great!
Example
(Situation:
Danang is making a handicraft for art subject.)
Teacher :
“Your handicraft is great. You deserve to get high score.”
Steven :
“Really? Thank you, Sir. I made it for my parent.”
When you
visit your friend’s house for the first time and feel amazed with it, you can
say:
§
I like your big and tidy bedroom.
§
What a beautiful garden!
§
I just love your house
Example:
(Situation:
You are invited to your friend’s house)
You :
“I just love your house. It is very big and beautiful.”
Your friend :
“It’s very kind of you to say that. Thank you.”
Responding Complimenting
To
respond complimenting, you can use the following phrases:
§
Thank you/Thanks.
§
Thanks, I need that.
§
Do you really think so?
§
It’s very kind of you to say that.
Based
the explanation above, it can be concluded that:
§ Congratulation
is expressed to praise people’s achievement or to appreciate people in their
special occasion.
§ The
phrases of congratulation are commonly used as follows: “Good Job!”, “Well done!” or “Congratulations!”
§ Complimenting
is used to give praise on something or what someone has got or done.
§ The
phrases of complimenting which can be used are “It looks nice on you.”, “That’s great!”, “I just love your …”
Generic
Structures
Complimenting, like congratulation, can be used in a verbal
or written context. In written context, you can give a compliment or best
wishes in a greeting card. While in verbal context, there are some language
features that you should pay attention as follows:
Language Features
§ Positive
language should be used in complimenting such as good, nice, well, etc.
Example: “You have a nice smile.”
§ Use
adjective clause such as cool hair style, beautiful skirt, and delicious cake.
Example: “I just love your delicious cake.”
§ You
can also use exaggerated words such awesome, wonderful, amazing, fantastic, etc.
Example: “Your performance is amazing.”
§ Use
reference words such as “I like …” or “I love …”
Example: “I like your new haircut.”
§ To
give comment towards people’s appearance, you can use “you look …”
Example: “The jeans look nice on you.”
§ Use
“What a ….”
Example: “What a beautiful room!”
§ Use
present simple tense. That/Those …. is/are nice.
Example: “That is very good.”
To understand how to put it in verbal context, read
the conversation below.
Fiona :
“What a beautiful dance! You
dance it very well.”
Dina :
“Do you really think so?”
Fiona :
“Yes. I never dance as well as you.”
Dina :
“Thank you.”
To sum up, expressions of congratulation:
§ are
used to praise someone’s achievement or give good wishes on a special event
§ can
be expressed verbally or written.
While expressions of compliment:
§ are
used to give good comments to people
§ must
use positive language.
(Written by: Windi Asariastika)
