A compliment is a kind expression of praise.
The idea
Use pay someone a compliment or pay a compliment to someone. The past of pay is paid.
Examples
- I paid my neighbour a compliment on the garden.
- The teacher paid the class a compliment for their teamwork.
- She paid him a compliment on his cooking.
- He paid her a sincere compliment about her painting.
- We paid the musician a compliment after the concert.
- You can pay someone a compliment without exaggerating.
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Watch out
Do not say do a compliment: use pay a compliment when praising someone.
Try it yourself
Choose the missing word. I will ___ a compliment to the chef. (pay / spend)
Show answer or example answer
pay
pay is the base form after will.
Choose the missing word. Yesterday they ___ her a compliment on her speech. (paid / pay)
Show answer or example answer
paid
paid places the praise yesterday.
Choose the missing word. He paid a compliment ___ the designer. (to / at)
Show answer or example answer
to
to introduces the person receiving the praise.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Choose the missing word. I will ___ a compliment to the chef. (pay / spend)
Choose the missing word. Yesterday they ___ her a compliment on her speech. (paid / pay)
Choose the missing word. He paid a compliment ___ the designer. (to / at)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Pay someone a sincere compliment about something they have done.