Learn the best ways to respond to compliments in English with polite and thoughtful phrases, perfect for ESL and TEFL students.

 

 

Responding to Compliments: A Guide for ESL Learners

Accepting compliments gracefully is an essential social skill that can help build and maintain relationships, both personal and professional. For ESL learners, responding to compliments can sometimes be awkward due to cultural and linguistic differences. This lesson will guide you through various ways to accept compliments that not only show your appreciation but also reflect well on you as a thoughtful and considerate communicator. By the end of this lesson, you will be equipped with multiple phrases and the confidence to respond to compliments in a way that feels natural and sincere.

Useful Vocabulary for Responding to Compliments

  1. "Thank you, it makes my day to hear that."

    • Meaning: Expresses that the compliment has positively affected your day.
    • Example: "Thank you, it makes my day to hear that. I'm glad you liked the presentation."
  2. "I really put a lot of thought into this, thank you for noticing."

    • Meaning: Acknowledges the effort you put into something and thanks the person for recognizing it.
    • Example: "I really put a lot of thought into this report, thank you for noticing."
  3. "Thank you, I really appreciate your taking the time to express that."

    • Meaning: Shows gratitude for the effort the other person made to give the compliment.
    • Example: "Thank you, I really appreciate your taking the time to express that. It means a lot to me."
  4. "Thank you, I am happy to hear you feel that way!"

    • Meaning: A positive response that expresses happiness about the compliment.
    • Example: "Thank you, I am happy to hear you feel that way about my work!"
  5. "It is great to hear you feel that way! Actually, Amanda is the one behind this project. If you have a minute, it would make her day to hear how you feel."

    • Meaning: Redirects some of the credit to another person who deserves recognition.
    • Example: "It is great to hear you feel that way! Actually, Amanda is the one behind this project. If you have a minute, it would make her day to hear how you feel."
  6. "I would love to take credit, but John is the one responsible for this. I will share your feedback when I see him today."

    • Meaning: Politely declines full credit and acknowledges another's contribution.
    • Example: "I would love to take credit, but John is the one responsible for this. I will share your feedback when I see him today."
  7. "Thank you for noticing, it is really great to hear that. Everyone on our team has been working really hard on this over the last few weeks. I will share your feedback in our next meeting."

    • Meaning: Expresses appreciation for the compliment and highlights team effort.
    • Example: "Thank you for noticing, it is really great to hear that. Everyone on our team has been working really hard on this over the last few weeks. I will share your feedback in our next meeting."
  1. "That's very kind of you to say."

    • Meaning: A humble response that acknowledges the kindness behind the compliment.
    • Example: "That's very kind of you to say. I'm glad you liked the presentation."
  2. "You've made my day!"

    • Meaning: Expresses that the compliment has had a positive impact on your day.
    • Example: "You've made my day with your kind words!"
  3. "I'm glad you think so."

  • Meaning: Shows happiness that the person agrees with a positive aspect.
  • Example: "I'm glad you think so. I worked hard on that project."
  1. "I'm flattered, thank you!"
  • Meaning: Expresses that you are pleasantly surprised and pleased by the compliment.
  • Example: "I'm flattered, thank you! It's great to hear such positive feedback."
  1. "Your feedback means a lot to me."
  • Meaning: Indicates that the person's opinion is valued highly.
  • Example: "Your feedback means a lot to me, especially since you're an expert in this area."
  1. "It's nice to be appreciated, thank you!"
  • Meaning: Acknowledges and appreciates the recognition.
  • Example: "It's nice to be appreciated, thank you for acknowledging my efforts."
  1. "I'm pleased you noticed that."
  • Meaning: Happy that the person observed something significant or important.
  • Example: "I'm pleased you noticed that change; it took us a while to get it right."
  1. "It means a lot coming from you."
  • Meaning: The compliment is especially valued because of who it comes from.
  • Example: "It means a lot coming from you, given your experience in this field."
  1. "Thanks for pointing that out, I'm proud of it too."
  • Meaning: Expresses pride in the achievement or aspect mentioned.
  • Example: "Thanks for pointing that out, I'm proud of it too. We've worked hard on improving our service."
  1. "I appreciate your kind words."
  • Meaning: A formal and gracious acceptance of a compliment.
  • Example: "I appreciate your kind words. We strive to do our best."
  1. "Thanks, I'm happy to hear you liked it."
  • Meaning: A direct and pleased response to someone's positive reaction.
  • Example: "Thanks, I'm happy to hear you liked it. We thought it might be a good addition."
  1. "That's very encouraging, thank you."
  • Meaning: The compliment has boosted your confidence or motivation.
  • Example: "That's very encouraging, thank you. I'll continue to improve."
  1. "It's rewarding to hear such nice things."
  • Meaning: You find it fulfilling to receive positive feedback.
  • Example: "It's rewarding to hear such nice things about my work."
  1. "I'm honored to receive such praise."
  • Meaning: The compliment is deeply appreciated and held in high regard.
  • Example: "I'm honored to receive such praise from someone I respect so much."
  1. "It's great to have my work recognized."
  • Meaning: Expresses pleasure in having one's efforts acknowledged.
  • Example: "It's great to have my work recognized by the team."
  1. "Thank you, everyone, for your support."
  • Meaning: A group thank you, acknowledging support from multiple people.
  • Example: "Thank you, everyone, for your support; it's what motivates me to do my best."
  1. "Your words are too kind!"
  • Meaning: A light, humble way to accept a compliment that may feel more praise than expected.
  • Example: "Your words are too kind! I just did what anyone would do."
  1. "I owe a big part of this success to my team."
  • Meaning: Redirects some of the credit to others who helped achieve success.
  • Example: "I owe a big part of this success to my team; they've been amazing."
  1. "Thanks for the compliment; it’s been a team effort."
  • Meaning: Acknowledges that the achievement was not solo, but a team effort.
  • Example: "Thanks for the compliment; it’s been a team effort to get to this stage."
  1. "That’s very observant of you to notice!"
  • Meaning: Pleased that someone noticed a detail or change.
  • Example: "That’s very observant of you to notice! Yes, we updated our design recently."
  1. "Thank you for your words; I'll keep working hard."
  • Meaning: Motivated by the compliment to continue working hard.
  • Example: "Thank you for your words; I'll keep working hard to maintain the quality."
  1. "Hearing this from you means a lot."
  • Meaning: The compliment holds extra value because of who said it.
  • Example: "Hearing this from you means a lot, especially considering your expertise."
  1. "Thank you for your appreciation; it inspires me."
  • Meaning: The praise received acts as an inspiration.
  • Example: "Thank you for your appreciation; it inspires me to do even better."
  1. "I'm glad our efforts are visible."
  • Meaning: Happy that the work being done is noticeable and appreciated.
  • Example: "I'm glad our efforts are visible and making a difference."
  1. "Thanks for the feedback; it helps us improve."
  • Meaning: Appreciates the compliment as constructive feedback.
  • Example: "Thanks for the feedback; it helps us improve and serve you better."
  1. "It's always nice to hear positive things."
  • Meaning: General pleasure in receiving positive feedback.
  • Example: "It's always nice to hear positive things, thank you for sharing."
  1. "Thank you for acknowledging our progress."
  • Meaning: Gratitude for recognition of improvement or development.
  • Example: "Thank you for acknowledging our progress; we've come a long way."
  1. "I’m grateful for your kind words, they motivate me."
  • Meaning: Expresses gratitude for motivation derived from the compliment.
  • Example: "I’m grateful for your kind words, they motivate me to continue improving."
  1. "Your positive feedback is much appreciated."
  • Meaning: A polite and formal acknowledgment of beneficial feedback.
  • Example: "Your positive feedback is much appreciated; it's invaluable to our team."
  1. "Thank you for noticing our hard work."
  • Meaning: Appreciation for the recognition of effort and dedication.
  • Example: "Thank you for noticing our hard work; it's rewarding to see it valued."
  1. "I'm thrilled you're pleased with the outcome."
  • Meaning: Excited and happy about the other person's satisfaction.
  • Example: "I'm thrilled you're pleased with the outcome; we aimed to exceed expectations."
  1. "Thanks, I'll pass on your compliments to the team."
  • Meaning: Indicates intention to share the praise with others involved.
  • Example: "Thanks, I'll pass on your compliments to the team who worked hard on this project."
  1. "It’s encouraging to receive such positive feedback."
  • Meaning: Finds motivation and encouragement from the feedback.
  • Example: "It’s encouraging to receive such positive feedback; it helps us stay focused."

These phrases offer various ways to respond thoughtfully and graciously to compliments in any context, enriching your communication skills in English.


Summary and Takeaways

Exercises Practice these phrases with a friend or in front of a mirror. Role-play different scenarios where you might receive a compliment, and try using different responses each time.

Summary This lesson provided practical phrases for responding to compliments in various contexts, helping you communicate your gratitude effectively.

Key Phrases Remember phrases like "Thank you, it makes my day to hear that" and "I really appreciate your taking the time to express that," which are versatile and sincere.

Tips for Retention Use these phrases regularly in your daily interactions to become more comfortable with them. Reflect on the responses you receive to refine your communication style.

Sharing and Further Learning Share this lesson with friends who might also benefit from learning how to accept compliments gracefully. For more helpful lessons, visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/learningenglishfree.co.uk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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