i congratulated him for his success vs i congratulated him on his success

The phrases are both acceptable, but they would be used in somewhat dissimilar contexts. 'I congratulated him for his success' implies that the congratulation was given because of his success, while 'I congratulated him on his success' implies that the congratulation was related to his success.

Explained by Gregg
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: August 06, 2024

i congratulated him for his success

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used when the congratulation is given because of the person's success. It shows the reason for the congratulation.

Examples:

I congratulated her for her hard work on the project.
He congratulated me for my excellent performance in the competition.

Show examples from the web [+]

I congratulated him on his success.
The President noted that the nominee had been elected, and congratulated him on his success.
He congratulated me on my success.
On the day he presented it, I congratulated him.
I congratulated him on passing the entrance exam.
Leaving aside our rapporteur Mr El Khadraoui's tenacity, on which I congratulated him, Commissioner, the European Commission has once again lost the fight to certain nationalist positions and sentiments.
I congratulated him on all of his victories. no, no.
Can the Commissioner explain how this is supposed to be consistent with the strict financial management which Mr Santer announced, and on which I congratulated him?
President Rajapaksa came to power democratically, determined to defeat the LTTE, and his success should be congratulated by all of us who despise terrorism.
The European Parliament was delighted and congratulated him enthusiastically.
Hans-Gert Pöttering therefore proclaimed him President of the European Parliament and congratulated him on his election.
I congratulated you the other night.
The report by Mr Sterckx is very complete and I have congratulated him on it.
And he was in the majors for three years before you even congratulated him.
Geoff was there and he congratulated him at the end.
The President of the United States... personally called the director this morning and congratulated him on a job well done.
Badalamenti told me that Andreotti congratulated him, saying:
I never once begrudged his success.
Envy and jealousy cost your father his success.
The President congratulated him on his election and invited him to swear an oath in due course before the Court of Justice, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure.

Alternatives:

I praised him for his success
I commended him for his success
I lauded him for his success
I admired him for his success
I acknowledged him for his success

i congratulated him on his success

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used when the congratulation is related to the person's success. It indicates that the congratulation is about the success itself.