Expression of Giving Compliment / Congratulation

For Highschool Grade 10 th by Riana Aisyah

COMPLIMENT
What is compliment?
Compliments express approval and are aimed at showing that you like some aspect of the other
person’s appearance, belonging or work.
Here are some guidelines for giving compliments:
- Be specific. Example, I love your style. > I love your style, you always wear the coolest
scarves. (more specific)
- Don’t overdo it. Giving too many compliments can make you sound insincere.
- Use appropriate tone. The easiest way to do this is to make sure you have a smile on your
faces. Because this will lift your tone naturally. So you don’t sound angry or cold.
Social Function
The social function of compliment is an expression used to express our praise to someone. It is
used by us everytime we find something good of someone to make him or her happy and improve
his or her performance.
Whom to Compliment:
Anyone you have occasion to talk with (friends, family, colleagues, and even strangers)
When to express compliment

 On daily basis,
 When someone has done his/her best,
 If you notice something new about the person’s appearance: new car, new haircut, a piece
of jewellery, etc
 On a person of his or her general appearance: ‘You look good today’
 To praise something people said
 When visiting someone’s house for the first time: ‘What a beautiful house you have.’
 When hosts prepare a meal for you: ‘The meal was delicious’.
 or any other situation you've been through, where it's possible to compliment others.
How to Compliment in formal or informal :

 I would like compliment you on …

 I think your (hair) is very nice.
 I just love your (dress).
 The (chicken) is very delicious.
  I really like your (skirt).
 This (cheese) is super.
 That’s not a bad (bike) you’ve got.
 That’s neat.
 That’s nice.
 That’s not bad.
 Terrific.
 Pretty good.
 OK!
 All right.
 That’s a beautiful drawing!
 You did very well
 You are a good cook
 You look charming in that (uniform)
 I’d like to tell you that…
 I wanted to say/mention that…
 I’ve been meaning to mention…
 I’ve been thinking that…
 If you ask me, you(r)….
 I noticed that…
 If you don’t mind me saying…
Generic Structure
Other than that, expressions of compliment usually use the pattern:
- What + adjective + noun
Example, What a lovely shoes!
- How + adjective + subject + to be
Example, How smart you are.

Response to Compliment :
The act of responding to a compliment is governed by two general conditions:
- Agree with the speaker
- Avoid self-praise
Example,

 Thank you. It’s nice of you to say so.

 Thank you but really isn’t anything special.
  Thank you. Yours is even nicer.
 I’m glad you like it.
 Thanks
 Thank you for your appreciation
Returning Compliment :

 It’s nice to hear that from someone with your experience.

 Yours is nice, too.
(It’s enough to say ‘Thank you” to a compliment. No further reply is required)
Dialog for Complimenting Others :
Rahmi : Hello. How are things going on, Sinta?
Sinta : Hi. Good, and you?
Rahmi : I’m feeling great today. How was your weekend with your family in Batu?
Sinta : Excellent! We had a lovely time there. You should have gone there with us.
Rahmi : Really? Hey, what a beautiful skirt you are wearing. It matches your blouse.
Sinta : Thanks a lot. My sister bought it for me last month.
Rahmi : Wow! That’s wonderful.
Sinta : Oh, Rahmi, can I ask you something?
Rahmi : Oh, sure. Please.
Sinta : Have you finished writing the book we discussed two months ago?
Rahmi : Yes. Come to my room. Look at this. What do you think?
Sinta : Terrific. I like the cover. Let me see the contents. This book is excellent. You really did a
great job.
Rahmi : Thanks a lot. You’ve inspired me to do this.

CONGRATULATION
Expression of congratulation is expression that is used to congratulate someone when he or she
has achieved something. Both of congratulation and compliment are used to express something
good that happens in someone's life. Every text of expression has function, structure, and also
language features to guide us to build a good text. Before we create a certain text, it's better for us
to understand those items and try to follow the rules one by one. Let's check it out:
1. Social Function is to congratulate someone about his/her achievement. The achievement is not
only about winning something but also in other kind of condition, like graduating from a certain
education, celebrating something, and getting something new.
2. Generic Structure or structure text of congratulation has the same structure like other
expressions. We'll find only two structures in expression, they are:
Expressions
The beginning of expression (in this case, in the dialogue). For example: Congratulations on your
winning, Rea!
Responses
Response is the feed back of expression. The feed back can be positive (accepting the expression)
or negative (declining the expression). For example: Thank you, Megan. You're so kind.
The following table shows the Expression of Congratulation and Responses.

Congratulating Responding
I’d be the first to congratulate you on… It’s very good of you to say so.
I’d like to congratulate you on … How nice of you to say so.
Please accept my warmest congratulations. Thank you very much for saying so.
May I congratulate you on … I’m glad you think so.
I must congratulate you. Oh, it’s nothing special actually.
It was great to hear about … Oh, I have a lot to learn yet.
Congratulations. Thank you.
Congratulations on … Oh, not really.
Well done Oh, nothing to it, actually.
Nice done, congratulations! Oh, thanks.
Good.
Fantastic!
3. Language Features
The using of the word "Congratulation!" to congratulate people. The using of adjective, for
example: awesome, great, nice, fantastic, and many others.
Dialog example
Text 1
After a long struggle and hard work, Alif is finally appointed as the director of a national company
where he works. Many of his friends who work at the same company congratulate him.
Samuel : Alif, congratulations. You deserved it, Man.
Alif : Thank you very much. This is because you always help me.
Sinta : I am very happy for you, Alif. Now, that you are the director of the company, I believe the
company will develop even faster.
Alif : (replies with a happy tone) Thank you. I cannot forget your collaboration with me, and I will
still need your help.
Other friends shake his hands and congratulate him too.
Deni : That’s wonderful, Alif.
Alif : Oh, thanks.
Santi : Good for you. Good luck.
Alif : Thank you very much.
Bejo : Well done.
Alif : Thank you for saying so.
Ivan : That was great. You must be very proud of your achievement.
Alif : Thanks. I’m glad you think so. But I still have to learn a lot.
His staff also congratulate him.
Eny : Please accept my warmest congratulations, Sir.
Alif : It’s very kind of you to say so. Thank you.
Bintari : I must congratulate you on your success.
Alif : Thank you very much for saying so.
They all celebrate Alif’s success by having lunch together in a simple food stall next to their office.
Every body is happy.
Text 2
Cita has won the first winner of the story telling competition in her school. Her best friend
congratulated her.
Ditto : Cita, congratulations for being the first winner of the school story telling competitio n!
Excellent. You really did it well.
Cita : Thanks, Ditto.
Ditto : I heard that you will be the representative of our school in the story telling competition of
our regency. Is it true?
Cita : Yes, you’re right.
Ditto : I hope you will win as well in the next competition.
Cita : I hope so. But I’m nervous.
Ditto : Don’t worry, you’re a very good story teller. Good luck.
Cita : Thanks. I’ll do my best. Wish me luck.