How to say it · Kind words

Saying I'm impressed

Someone has just done something better than you expected. You want to show you noticed, from a cool nod to genuine amazement.

6 ways to say it

How strongCoolAmazed

That's really impressivebest default You nailed itdid it perfectly Not bad at allBritish understatement Credit where it's duefair praise How did you do that?amazed question You've outdone yourselfeven better than usual

Way 1 · best default

That's really impressive

Clear and sincere. Works for skills, results and achievements, with anyone.

How strongMiddle

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

You learned all that in six months? That's really impressive.

That's really impressive, I could never speak three languages.

In a conversation

A: I built the whole website myself over the weekend.
B: That's really impressive. It looks professional.

Common mistake

Not: ~~You make me~~ impressive.

Say: That's really impressive.

The thing is "impressive". The person who feels it is "impressed": I'm impressed, that's impressive.

Practice saying this

Next: You nailed it

Way 2 · did it perfectly

You nailed it

They did exactly what was needed, perfectly. Great right after a performance or test.

How strongAmazed

ToneCasual

Use itWith friends

Examples

Your speech was perfect. You nailed it.

You nailed it! The cake looks just like the photo.

In a conversation

A: Was I OK? I felt so nervous up there.
B: Are you joking? You nailed it.

Practice saying this

Next: Not bad at all

Way 3 · British understatement

Not bad at all

Sounds small, but said with a smile it means "actually, that's good".

How strongVery cool

ToneCasual

Use itWith friends

Examples

You made this yourself? Not bad at all.

Not bad at all for your first try.

Practice saying this

Next: Credit where it's due

Way 4 · fair praise

Credit where it's due

Admitting someone did well, even if you doubted them or don't usually agree.

How strongCool

ToneNeutral

Use itAt work

Examples

I didn't think the plan would work, but credit where it's due.

Credit where it's due, Tom saved us this week.

Common mistake

Not: Credit to where it's due.

Say: Credit where it's due.

No "to". It's a fixed phrase: "credit where it's due" or "credit where credit's due".

Practice saying this

Next: How did you do that?

Way 5 · amazed question

How did you do that?

Your surprise does the praising. People love being asked to explain their skill.

How strongAmazed

ToneCasual

Use itAnywhere

Examples

You fixed my laptop in two minutes. How did you do that?

How did you do that? I've been trying for a week!

In a conversation

A: Done. The table's back together.
B: How did you do that? The instructions made no sense!

Practice saying this

Next: You've outdone yourself

Way 6 · even better than usual

You've outdone yourself

They're always good, but this time they did even better than their best.

How strongVery amazed

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

This dinner is incredible. You've outdone yourself.

Your best photos yet. You've outdone yourself this time.

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which would you say?

Pick the right one

Which would you say?

Read the moment, then choose the way that fits it best.

Now say it out loud

Pick one and practise it in a real conversation. Save the ones you want to remember.

That's really impressive You nailed it Not bad at all Credit where it's due

Which would you say?

Now say it out loud

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