applaud v. compliment v. congratulate v. praise

Question

Original: The newspapar applauded the man for his bravery in rescuing the drowning boy.

Which of the following is in the same sense as the original, correct and idiomatic?

1) The newspapar complimented the man for his bravery inrescuing the drowning boy.

2) The newspapar congratulated the man for his bravery in rescuing the drowning boy.

3) The newspapar praised the man for his bravery in rescuing the drowning boy.

Thank you.

Clive · Accepted Answer

#3

Hhtt · Answer

What could be simple and main difference between "applaud" and "congratulate" ?

Thank you.

Clive · Answer

In physical terms,
applaud means clap with the hands
congratulate means express approval in words.

Hhtt · Answer

CliveIn physical terms,applaud means clap with the handscongratulate means express approval in words.

But in this thread, the meaning of applaud as "to clap with hands (and cheer)" is not disucussed. I try to discuss its other meaning as "to praise an idea, decision, action etc" or "to praise somebody enthusiastically and publicly" and I am asking about what the difference between (this sense of) applaud and congratulate via the example above is

I.e What is the difference between meanings of these two sentences.

1) The newspapar congratulated the man for his bravery in rescuing the drowning boy.

2) The newspapar applauded the man for his bravery in rescuing the drowning boy.

Thank you.

Clive · Answer

1) applaud express approval

2) congratulate tell him he did well

#2 is directed more to the person.
eg Assume the rescuer died as a result of the rescue.. You can still applaud him, but you can't congratulate him.

Rover_KE · Answer

Note the correct spelling of 'newspaper'.

Damn D · Answer

applaud v. compliment v. congratulate v. praise

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