Learning English - Lesson Twenty One (Compliments)

You know, the world of English

is a fascinating and exciting place to be.

I'm so glad you could join me for another lesson.

Hi, everybody, this is Mr.

Duncan in England. How are you today?

Are you okay?

Are you happy?

In this lesson, we are going to explore the delicate

and some would say, dangerous process of giving

and receiving compliments.

The word complement can be used in two ways.

It can describe two or more items or things

that go together well.

Or it can mean

a kind of sentence which is spoken to

someone as a way of saying something nice about the way they look

or about something they have done.

There are other words that mean

or relate to complement, such as accolade

control

command.

Eulogize

extoll.

Flatter.

Pay tribute.

Praise and sweet talk.

When we use a complimentary sentence, it is normally done

as a way of making the person we are talking to feel good.

It is given out of kindness for most of the time.

It is used as a positive way of speaking.

However, sometimes a compliment may not be well received.

The person to whom you are speaking may believe

that you do not really mean what you are saying.

They may see your words as insincere

or false.

So giving a compliment can sometimes be a risky thing

to do.

There is, of course,

an opposite to complement when we want to make a bad comment,

which relates to someone, we criticize a person,

we deride someone, we condemn them.

We put them down.

We scorn them.

We roast them. We discuss them.

Condiments can relate to almost anything

you can compliment someone's clothing, for example.

Oh, I really do like your new jacket.

It really suits you.

Those shoes are just perfect.

Where did you buy them?

You look so glamorous. Wow.

I like your new hat.

You look so cool in it. My.

You can compliment the cooking.

Oh, wow.

This food is gorgeous.

You are a great cook.

Oh, did you make this yourself?

I must have the recipe.

Oh, I must give my compliments to the chef.

You can compliment someone's taste or choice.

Oh, your house looks great.

You have good taste in furniture.

I really like what you have done with this house.

So stylish.

Wow. Did you choose the furniture yourself?

You have very good taste.

You can even make a general compliment

about the way someone looks or their appearance.

Wow, you look so beautiful tonight.

Wow, you really look great today.

Is it my imagination or are you the most beautiful person

in the world?

In fact,

you can give a compliment about and to almost anything.

Oh, you are such a great toaster.

You make my bread so lovely and brown

at all, really?

Oh my great camera.

You take such wonderful pictures.

You are so wonderful.

I think you are a great.

OK, maybe not quite anything, right?

Giving a compliment

is the perfect way to show you care about someone, and it is a great way

to express how much you appreciate another person.

But remember not to use them too often,

or they will start to sound fake or insincere.

Maybe

another lesson has come to an end.

This is Mr.

Duncan in England saying Thank you for being such

a great and wonderful student.

You are the best one in the whole world. Hmm.

I think that was a little bit too much praise.

Thanks for watching.

Bye bye for now.