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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Congratulations on vs congratulations for

Please explain the difference between: 'congratulations on' and 'congratulations for' using the following sentences. Congratulations on receiving the award. (congratulating the occasion?) Congratulations for receiving the award. (congratulating the result or effort?) Thank you very much.
  

Top answer

Hi Anon I would say that "congratulations on" is simply far more commonly used than "congratulations for". Other than that, I'm not sure that any clearcut difference can actually be made. "Congratulations on" does suggest "on this occasion", and thus the congratulations tend to be focused on and offered for the outcome or culmination of someone's activities.

— Yankee

  • Hi Anon I would say that "congratulations on" is simply far more commonly used than "congratulations for".
  • Other than that, I'm not sure that any clearcut difference can actually be made.
  • "Congratulations on" does suggest "on this occasion", and thus the congratulations tend to be focused on and offered for the outcome or culmination of someone's activities.
  • However, that doesn't mean that the work that was done prior to the achievement is being ignored.
  • " To me, saying "congratulations for" would simply mean "congratulations for this reason".
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2 Answers
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Hi Anon

I would say that "congratulations on" is simply far more commonly used than "congratulations for". Other than that, I'm not sure that any clearcut difference can actually be made.

"Congratulations on" does suggest "on this occasion", and thus the congratulations tend to be focused on and offered for the outcome or culmination of someone's activities. Howev
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Thank you.
I try to stick with "on" from now "on".
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