Congratulations and Good Wishes

Sometimes it’s difficult to find just the right phrase for a particular occasion in Standard English. We want to help you solve that problem. Whether it’s a birthday, a graduation, a wedding, a promotion, a holiday, or whatever, you’d like to be able to say the right thing in English.

Then there are the celebrations and holidays of the season. From New Year’s Eve to Christmas there are numerous times during the year when you may want to send holiday greetings. And don’t forget that there are many holidays that are either not celebrated in our country at all, or are celebrated at different times (Father’s Day, Thanks giving etc.) – or are unique to a particular country.

A.

Congratulating

• If someone has a baby, passes an exam, win a prize, etc., use:
• Congratulations!
• To be informal, use:
• Great! / Well don! / Congrats!

B.

Praising

• To praise a subordinate or equal, use
• Well done!
• That was very well done.
• That’s very good.
• You did that very well.
• Your (meal) was excellent / very good / first class.
• The (food) is / was excellent.
• I was / am very pleased with (your work).

• To praise a superior, use:
• Well done!
• I thought your (work was excellent).
• I really admired / admire your (work).

• To be informal:
• Super! / Great!
• That’s / that was super/ great / fantastic.
• You were super / great / fantastic.

C.

Passing on praise

• To praise a third person, use:
• Please tell (her) I liked it very much.
• Tell (him) how good I thought (he was).
• Give my compliments to (the cook).

D.

Recovery

• Get well soon!
• Rest up! Have a relaxing time!
• A speedy recovery!

E.

General

• Cheers! (toast)
• Congratulations!
• Fortunately, luckily
• Good luck!
• Lucky fellow.
• Best of luck!
• I wish you success!
• Best wishes!
• To your health! (toast)
• Bon appétit! Enjoy your meal!
• Bon voyage! Have a good trip!

F.

Graduation

• Congratulations…
• Congratulations… on graduating with a master’s degree!
• Congratulations… on graduating with a doctorate!
• Best wishes…
• Congratulations… on graduating from college

G.

Marriage & Anniversary

• Congratulations, on the happy event! (new baby)
• Congratulations, on your golden/silver wedding anniversary!
• Congratulations, on your engagement!
• Congratulations, on your wedding!
• Wish you a happy Married life.

H.

Birthday

• Best wishes…
• Happy Birthday to you!
• Many happy returns of the day!
• Many Many happy returns of the day!

I.

Other Occasions.

·         All the best…

·         Best wishes…

·         Congratulations….

·         Congratulations…on your name day!

·         Congratulations on passing your masters test!

·         Best wishes on your new job!

·         Congratulations on your promotion!

·         Wish you a happy retired life!

·         Congratulating…

·         Congratulations!

·         Your essay has won first prize.

·         I’m so glad! My heartiest congratulations!

·         Hey, you’ve got that job? Congratulations.

·         Let me offer you my congratulations.

·         Congratulations! You deserve it!

·         I was delighted to hear about it.

·         Splendid! You must be very pleased.

·         I couldn’t have been more pleased!

·         I congratulate you. You’ve done a fine job, John!

·         That was excellent. Congratulations!

·         I was thrilled to hear about your new job.

·         You deserve all the luck in the world!