Praised For: Standard Pattern
Praised For: Standard Pattern records a directly documented English construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced pattern rather than turning one attested complement into a universal prohibition.
Use “praised for” to identify the achievement, characteristic, or action that prompts expressed approval.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| achievement prompting approval | praised for + noun | Use “for” before the achievement. |
| action prompting approval | praised for + -ing | Use “for” plus the -ing clause. |
| characteristic prompting approval | praised for + quality | Use the same construction for the praised characteristic. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Are you identifying what caused or earned the praise?
If yes: Use “praised for” before the achievement, quality, or -ing action.
If no: Use another “praise” construction if the sentence is not naming the reason for praise.
Examples
The design was praised for its clarity.
“For” introduces the characteristic that prompted praise.
She was praised for responding quickly.
An -ing clause can name the action that earned praise.
The team was praised for its preparation.
A noun phrase after “for” identifies the reason for approval.
Further guidance
Construction
Use “praised for” to identify the achievement, characteristic, or action that prompts expressed approval.
Style Boundary
“Praise” also appears in other constructions, including direct-object uses and noun phrases. This page covers the documented “praised for” pattern only.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- PRAISE | English meaning — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct Cambridge dictionary evidence for “praised for” when identifying the achievement, characteristic, or action receiving approval.