commended: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal
Quick answer
What does “commended” mean?
To formally praise or approve of someone or something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To formally praise or approve of someone or something.
To formally recommend or present something as worthy of favourable consideration; to entrust something to someone’s care.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. The frequency of the recommending/entrusting sense is slightly higher in formal UK English (e.g., 'commended to your care').
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes official recognition or endorsement. It may sound slightly more ceremonial in US English.
Frequency
Used with similar frequency in both formal, official, and corporate contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “commended” in a Sentence
SUBJ commend OBJ (to NP)SUBJ commend OBJ for NP/ -ingSUBJ commend NP to NPVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “commended” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The headteacher commended the student for his exceptional community service.
- The judge commended the officer's bravery to the court.
American English
- The CEO commended the team for exceeding their quarterly targets.
- The resolution was commended to the committee for further review.
adjective
British English
- The commended entry received a certificate of merit.
- All commended proposals will be forwarded to the director.
American English
- She was a commended finalist in the national science fair.
- The commended plan was adopted unanimously.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in performance reviews, award ceremonies, and official communications to recognise employee achievement.
Academic
Used in peer reviews, thesis defences, and formal acknowledgements for scholarly work.
Everyday
Less common; used in formal situations like school awards, community recognition, or official letters.
Technical
Rare; may be used in legal or procedural documents to denote a formal recommendation.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “commended”
- Using 'commended' in informal contexts where 'praised' is more natural. (Mistake: *'My mate commended my new haircut.')
- Confusing with 'recommended' in the sense of 'advised'. (Mistake: *'The doctor commended a new diet.')
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Commended' is more formal and often implies an official, public, or authoritative statement of approval. 'Praised' is more general and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
Yes, but this usage is formal and slightly old-fashioned, often found in phrases like 'I commend this book to your attention' or 'commended to your care'. In modern English, 'recommend' is far more common for general suggestions.
Yes, it's a common collocation, especially in competition contexts, meaning the entry received special praise or a distinction just below the winner(s).
The most common pattern is 'commend [someone] for [something]' (e.g., 'He was commended for his honesty'). Another is 'commend [something] to [someone]' (e.g., 'I commend this proposal to the council').
To formally praise or approve of someone or something.
Commended is usually formal in register.
Commended: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈmɛndɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈmɛndɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(highly) commended”
- “commended to your care/attention”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MENDed relationship being praised – someone was **COMMEND**ed for mending fences.
Conceptual Metaphor
APPROVAL IS AN OFFICIAL GIFT (bestowed upon someone).
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following sentences is 'commended' used correctly?