English Phrases: Giving Compliments

Tips while giving compliments

Sincere: The intended compliment must be sincere and genuine.
Specific: Be specific to make your compliment effective. Try avoiding generalized compliments.
Spontaneous: This involves giving compliment as soon as you identify something wonderful.

Giving Compliments on the accomplishment

 Good job!
 Well done!
 Fantastic!
 Perfect!
 That’s great!
 Nice work!
 Excellent!
 That’s really remarkable.
 Good grades!
 That looks awesome!
 Kudos on the great work!
Phrases for complimenting a person’s
appearance/clothes

Formal
 Ms. Hima, may I be so bold as to compliment you on your dress?
 May I pay you a compliment Jane? You really look fantastic today.
 I hope you don’t mind, but I just had to say how wonderful you look today.

Informal
 You look great.
 You look phenomenal.
 You look nice.
 You look amazing!
 The dress looks stunning.
 What a lovely necklace!
 I like your shirt – where did you get it?
 I love your new shoes.
 You look very good in that suit.
 This tie looks nice on you.
 That color looks great on you.
 You look very handsome.
 You’re looking very beautiful today.
 I like your new haircut.
 You have a lovely voice.
 Wow, you look hot!
 Reshmi, what a beautiful dress!
 Cool glasses, totally suit you.
 I really love your haircut. It makes you look like a movie star.

Phrases for complimenting someone’s performance

Formal
 Jon, if you don’t mind me saying, you are an excellent public speaker.
 I must say you really know how to communicate.
 I totally admire your spontaneity.
 I admire your ability to think on your feet.
 I really must express my admiration for your speech.

Informal
 Wow! You’re great at delivering a PEP TALK!
 You can really argue. That was amazing debate!
 You’re an awesome dancer.
 It’s a mesmerizing performance. Keep it up.
 You sure can play table tennis. Great Skills!
 I love the way you play guitar.
 You really have some special talent.

Complimenting Possessions

Formal
 Tom, I couldn’t help but notice your Mercedes. It’s a beauty!
 I have to admit I’m jealous of your lovely garden.
 You have such a majestic painting in your living room.
 I have no words to describe your brand new TV. It’s rather vibrant.

Informal
 Nice car! Is it yours?
 Kudos on the new iPhone X dude. Where did you get it?
 Your camera is superb. That’s nice!
 Awesome headphones man, they look stunning.

Phrases for complimenting someone’s home

 What a nice apartment!
 You have a beautiful home.
 You have a lovely home Jack.
 I love what you have done with the place.
 Where did you get that lovely table?
 I love the decor. Did you do it yourself?

Phrases for complimenting someone’s cooking

 The dish is delicious.
 This soup is very tasty.
 Great Pasta! It’s finger licking good.
 You’re a fantastic cook.
 Did you make this from scratch?
 You’ve got to give me the recipe for this chicken dish!
 The cherry pie is out of this world.
 This is best sandwich I ever had.
 That was delicious. My compliments to the chef!

Phrases for complimenting babies / children

 She’s darn cute
 What a cute and cuddly baby.
 Oh, what an adorable face!
 He/she’s so cute!
 Your children are very well-behaved.
 Your daughter is a smart cookie.
 Your kids are a lot of fun.
 She’s well-mannered kid.

Phrases for receiving compliments

 How kind of you to say so.
 It’s nice of you to say so.
 It’s very kind of you to say that.
 Really? I’m not sure about that, actually.
 Thank you.
 Thank you so much.
 Thanks a lot.
 Thanks for your compliment.
 I’m glad you like it.
 I’m delighted to hear that.
 Seriously, you liked it that much.