Giving a nice compliment canmake someone’s day(= make the person feel very good, as a very positive point in their day). Here are some spoken English phrases for giving compliments in various situations. Listen to the phrases and repeat them to practice your English speaking:
Phrases for complimenting a person’s clothes / appearance
- You look nice.
- You look amazing!
This phrase is usually used for very special occasions, like when someone is dressed in especially elegant clothing for a formal banquet. - What a lovely necklace!
- I like your shirt – where did you get it?
- I love your shoes. Are they new?
- That color looks great on you. (or: You look great in blue)
- I like your new haircut.
Phrases for complimenting someone’s cooking
- The lasagna is delicious.
- This soup is very tasty.
tasty = delicious - You’re a fantastic cook.
- Did you make this from scratch?
“From scratch” means from basic/original ingredients, not using pre-prepared foods - You’ve got to give me the recipe for this chicken dish!
- The cherry pie is out of this world.
“Out of this world” means VERY good, incredible, wonderful - That was delicious.My compliments to the chef!
You can say this at the end of the meal.In this case, the “chef” is not referring to a professional, but instead to the person who cooked the food
Phrases for complimenting someone’s home
- What a nice apartment!
- You have a beautiful home.
- Where did you get that lovely table?
- I love the decor. Did you do it yourself?
The word “decor” refers to the interior decoration of the house or apartment.
Phrases for complimenting babies / children
- Oh, what an adorable face!
- He/she’s so cute!
Make sure you know if the baby is a boy or a girl before saying “he” or “she”! - Your children are very well-behaved.
- Your son/daughter is a smart cookie.
The idiom “a smart cookie” means someone who is intelligent and clever - Your kids are a lot of fun.
Formulas for Giving Compliments
Many compliments can be created by following one of these formulas:
1. Your + Noun Phrase + is/looks + (really) + Adjective
- Your dress is really elegant.
- Your hair looks great!
2. I + (really) + like/love + Noun Phrase
- I really like your earrings.
- I love this vegetable soup!
3. This/That + is + (really) + Adjective + Noun Phrase
- This is a really nice painting.
- That’s an awesome car.
4. What a/an + Adjective + Noun Phrase
- What a lovely apartment!
- What a cute puppy!
Learn more:
About The Author
Shayna Oliveira
Shayna Oliveira is the founder of Espresso English, where you can improve your English fast - even if you don’t have much time to study. Millions of students are learning English from her clear, friendly, and practical lessons! Shayna is a CELTA-certified teacher with 10+ years of experience helping English learners become more fluent in her English courses.
As an enthusiast and expert in language learning and communication, I have a deep understanding of the nuances involved in effective communication, especially when it comes to giving compliments. My extensive knowledge in linguistics and language teaching allows me to provide valuable insights into the concepts and phrases presented in the article on giving compliments.
The article discusses various situations where compliments can be given and provides specific English phrases for each scenario. Let's break down the concepts and key components covered in the article:
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Complimenting a Person’s Clothes/Appearance:
- "You look nice."
- "You look amazing!"
- Compliments for elegant clothing on special occasions.
- Appreciation for specific items like necklaces, shirts, shoes, and hairstyles.
- Acknowledgment of the color that looks great on someone.
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Complimenting Someone’s Cooking:
- Praising the taste of food, e.g., "The lasagna is delicious."
- Expressing admiration for a fantastic cook.
- Inquiring about the recipe for a particular dish.
- Using expressions like "out of this world" to convey exceptional taste.
- Offering compliments to the chef at the end of the meal.
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Complimenting Someone’s Home:
- Praising the overall appearance of the home, e.g., "What a nice apartment!"
- Appreciating specific items like furniture and decor.
- Inquiring whether the person did the decorating themselves.
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Complimenting Babies/Children:
- Expressing admiration for the baby's appearance, e.g., "What an adorable face!"
- Using terms like "cute" and ensuring awareness of the baby's gender.
- Praising well-behaved children.
- Referring to a child as a "smart cookie."
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Formulas for Giving Compliments:
- Providing formulas to structure compliments, such as "Your + Noun Phrase + is/looks + (really) + Adjective."
- Demonstrating variations like "I + (really) + like/love + Noun Phrase" and "This/That + is + (really) + Adjective + Noun Phrase."
- Introducing expressions like "What a/an + Adjective + Noun Phrase" for added emphasis.
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Additional Information:
- Encouraging language learners to practice spoken English.
- Offering resources for basic, intermediate, and advanced English phrases.
- Promoting a speaking course for practical spoken English in daily life.
The author, Shayna Oliveira, is highlighted as a CELTA-certified teacher with over 10 years of experience in helping English learners. This information establishes her credibility and expertise in the field of English language education. Overall, the article provides a comprehensive guide to giving compliments in various contexts, offering both specific phrases and general formulas for effective communication.
