How to say it · Kind words

Saying I'm proud of you

Someone close to you has achieved something big. You want to share their joy, but "I'm proud of you" doesn't fit every person or every moment.

6 ways to say it

How emotionalLightEmotional

I'm so proud of youbest default You should be proud of yourselfsafe with anyone I'm so happy for yousharing good news You earned ithard work paid off That's hugeexcited reaction Look how far you've comethe long journey

Way 1 · best default

I'm so proud of you

Warm and direct. Best for family, partners and close friends.

How emotionalEmotional

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

You passed your driving test? I'm so proud of you!

I know how hard this year was. I'm so proud of you.

In a conversation

A: Mum, I got the place at uni!
B: Oh, sweetheart, I'm so proud of you.

Common mistake

Not: I proud of you.

Say: I'm so proud of you.

"Proud" is an adjective, so it needs "am": I'm proud. And it's proud "of", never proud "about" a person.

Practice saying this

Next: You should be proud of yourself

Way 2 · safe with anyone

You should be proud of yourself

Puts the pride in their hands. Safe with colleagues, or anyone older or senior to you.

How emotionalMiddle

ToneNeutral

Use itAt work

Examples

Finishing a marathon at sixty? You should be proud of yourself.

The client loved it. You should be proud of yourself.

Common mistake

Not: ~~I'm~~ proud of ~~you, boss.~~

Say: You should be proud of yourself.

"I'm proud of you" can sound like a parent talking down. To a boss or an older person, use this instead.

Practice saying this

Next: I'm so happy for you

Way 3 · sharing good news

I'm so happy for you

For good news that isn't really an achievement: an engagement, a baby, a new flat.

How emotionalMiddle

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

You're getting married? I'm so happy for you!

A new job in Lisbon? I'm so happy for you.

In a conversation

A: We're having a baby. You're the first to know.
B: No way! I'm so happy for you both.

Practice saying this

Next: You earned it

Way 4 · hard work paid off

You earned it

Their success came from effort, not luck. Good for a promotion, a prize or a holiday.

How emotionalLight

ToneCasual

Use itAnywhere

Examples

Enjoy the promotion, you earned it.

A week on the beach? You earned it after this year.

Practice saying this

Next: That's huge

Way 5 · excited reaction

That's huge

Your first quick reaction to big news. Then add something warmer after it.

How emotionalLight

ToneCasual

Use itWith friends

Examples

You got the funding? That's huge!

Wait, they offered you the job? That's huge, congratulations.

Practice saying this

Next: Look how far you've come

Way 6 · the long journey

Look how far you've come

Points back to where they started. Very moving after a long, hard road.

How emotionalVery emotional

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

A year ago you couldn't run for the bus. Look how far you've come.

You're giving talks in English now. Look how far you've come!

In a conversation

A: I still can't believe I'm teaching the class I used to be scared of.
B: Look how far you've come. Remember your first lesson?

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.

I'm so proud of you You should be proud of yourself I'm so happy for you You earned it

Which would you say?

Now say it out loud

More moments like this