Expressing Compliments

EXPRESSING COMPLIMENTS
Everyone likes to hear compliments. Compliments make people feel good about themselves, and
we all need that at times. Compliment is an expression that we show or say to express or give
praise. Some people use compliments to “butter up” somebody or to flatter in order to increase
good will, for example:
 on his/her general appearance.

 if you notice something new about the person’s appearance.
 when you visit someone’s house for the first time.
 when other people do their best.
I. Read the following sentences to express compliments for different situations
a. Complimenting Someone on Their Clothes and Appearance
You look nice. / You look beautiful. / You look amazing! / What a lovely blouse! / I love
your shoes. They are cute. Are they new? / Where did you get your T-shirt? It's
fabulous! / That is a great jacket you have! / I like your haircut.
If you want to make your compliments more emphatic, you can use the adverbs 'so',
'really' and 'very' or the adjective 'terrific'. For example:
You look terrific today! / You always look so beautiful. / You're looking very glamorous
tonight. / I absolutely love you in that dress. It really suits you! / You're looking very
smart today. / My boyfriend looks very smart in his new Armani suit, doesn't he? (smart
to have a clean, tidy and stylish appearance) / That new hairstyle really flatters you!
(flatter to make someone look more attractive than usual)
b. Complimenting Someone on Their Cooking
This food is gorgeous. I must give my compliments to the Chef. / The meal is so tasty!
You are a great cook. / The lemon cake is yummy! / Did you make this yourself? I must
have the recipe!
c. Complimenting Someone on Their Skills and Achievements
What a good answer/ You're an excellent student! / What a marvelous memory you've
got! / Your house looks great. You have good/great taste in furniture!
When you want to praise someone for their achievements, you can simply say
'Congratulations'. You can also say this to someone when something nice has happened to
them. For example:
Congratulations to our winner! / You have passed the exam. Well done!
Responding compliments
If someone has just given you a compliment, you should accept it gracefully and with a
smile on your face. You can accept a compliment with several different expressions:
Thanks. / thank you. It's very nice of you to say so. / I'm glad you think so. / A: I really
like your dress. B: Thank you. It's nice, isn't it? / A: That's a nice hat. B: Thank you. Have
you not seen it before? I've had it for years.
II. Study the following dialogues about Giving Compliments and practice it with your
friends.
Staff : What a beautiful dress, Ms. Elliot.

Guest : Thanks, I’m glad you like it.
Staff : Your new hair-do looks absolutely gorgeous, Mrs. Simpson.

Guest : How kind of you to say so.
Guest : My compliments to the chef. This linguine is superb.

Staff : Thank you ma’am. I’ll be sure to let the chef know.
Guest : Your English is very good.

Staff : Thank you very much.
Staff : Excellent game Mr. Johnson. You really gave me a workout.

Guest : Thanks, I guess all those private lessons are finally paying off.
Guest : I really appreciate all the extra work you did on helping us solve that problem. It
truly went above and beyond. My compliments to your work ethic.
Staff : Thank you sir, how kind of you to say so.
III. In pairs, complete the following conversation with the expressions in the box. Then,
perform it with your partner!
 You look charming in that white gown.
 What a gorgeous boy!
 Congratulations on your birthday.
 Thank you.

1. Arnys : Congratulations on your 16th birthday.
Retno : Thank you.
Anita : 1) ___________________________
Retno : Thank you for saying so. You look so sweet in that red vest.
Anita : Thanks. Look, Denias is coming! 2) ________________________
Arnys : He looks so cute with his new hair cut.
Retno : Yes, you’re right.
Denias : Hi, Retno. 3) __________________________
Retno : Thanks. By the way, congratulations on winning the 1rst prize on
Photography Competition.
Denias : 4) ___________________
Anita : Your idea was brilliant. I think you’re a genius.
Denias : Oh, not really.
Retno : Anyway, let’s start the party.
 Congratulations!
 What a nice red sweater!
 You’re looking good.
 I like your ribbon.
2. Retno : Hi, Anita. 1) ______________________________

Anita : It’s nice of you to say so.
Retno : I’ve never seen you in that sweater. Is that new?
Anita : Well, my sister bought me this sweater yesterday.
Retno : I see.
Anita : Anyway, 2) ________________________ It makes you look sweet.
Retno : Oh, not really. Look, Virga is coming!
Anita : Hi, Virga. 4) ______________________Who did your haircut?
Virga : Thanks. My Mom did it.
Retno : By the way, I heard you won a quiz on the radio yesterday. 5)
_______________
Virga : Thank you
IV. Make a simple dialogue on expressing compliments with your partner and perform it in front
of the class.

Expressing Compliments

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Expressing Compliments

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Expressing Compliments

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

EXPRESSING COMPLIMENTS

 on his/her general appearance.

I. Read the following sentences to express compliments for different situations

a. Complimenting Someone on Their Clothes and Appearance

b. Complimenting Someone on Their Cooking

c. Complimenting Someone on Their Skills and Achievements

Staff : What a beautiful dress, Ms. Elliot.

Staff : Your new hair-do looks absolutely gorgeous, Mrs. Simpson.

Guest : My compliments to the chef. This linguine is superb.

Guest : Your English is very good.

Staff : Excellent game Mr. Johnson. You really gave me a workout.

2. Retno : Hi, Anita. 1) ______________________________

You might also like