Congratulate vs. Congratulates

Attribute	Congratulate	Congratulates
Verb form	Congratulate	Congratulates
Subject	Second person singular or plural, or third person singular	Third person singular
Usage	Used when addressing someone directly or in the third person	Used when referring to someone in the third person

Definition

Congratulate and congratulates are both verbs that are used to express praise or admiration for someone's achievements or good fortune. However, there is a slight difference in their usage. Congratulate is the base form of the verb, while congratulates is the third person singular form. This means that congratulate is used when referring to multiple people or when the subject is not specified, while congratulates is used when the subject is singular.

Conjugation

When it comes to conjugation, congratulate is a regular verb that follows the standard rules for forming the past tense and past participle. For example, the past tense of congratulate is congratulated, and the past participle is also congratulated. On the other hand, congratulates is the third person singular form of the verb, so it is only used when the subject is singular. For example, "He congratulates his friend on winning the race."

Usage

Congratulate is a versatile verb that can be used in a variety of contexts. It can be used to congratulate someone on a job well done, on a promotion, on a new baby, or on any other achievement or happy occasion. Congratulates, on the other hand, is more specific and is only used when the subject is singular. For example, "She congratulates her sister on graduating from college."

Subject-Verb Agreement

One important difference between congratulate and congratulates is their subject-verb agreement. Congratulate is used with plural subjects or when the subject is not specified, while congratulates is used with singular subjects. It is important to pay attention to the subject of the sentence when using these verbs to ensure that the verb agrees with the subject in number. For example, "They congratulate their friend on getting married" (plural subject) versus "He congratulates his friend on getting married" (singular subject).

Formality

Another factor to consider when choosing between congratulate and congratulates is the level of formality. Congratulate is a more general and neutral term that can be used in both formal and informal situations. Congratulates, on the other hand, may sound slightly more formal or official due to its use of the third person singular form. It is important to consider the tone and context of the situation when deciding which verb to use.

Examples

Here are some examples to illustrate the difference between congratulate and congratulates:

• She congratulated her team on winning the championship. (congratulate)
• He congratulates his daughter on graduating with honors. (congratulates)
• We congratulate you on your new job. (congratulate)
• The president congratulates the award winners. (congratulates)

Conclusion

In conclusion, congratulate and congratulates are both verbs that are used to express praise or admiration for someone's achievements or good fortune. While they have similar meanings, there are subtle differences in their usage, conjugation, subject-verb agreement, formality, and context. It is important to choose the correct form of the verb based on the subject of the sentence and the level of formality required. By understanding these differences, you can effectively communicate your congratulations in any situation.