Are you trying to let someone know you’re proud of them?
Perhaps you’d like to say “I’m proud of you,” but you’re worried it sounds condescending or insincere.
Well, you’ve come to the right place for answers.
This article will explore synonyms to show you what to say instead of “I’m proud of you.”
Is It Good to Say “I’m Proud of You”?
It is good to say “I’m proud of you.” It’s a great way to let someone know you care about them and you’re proud of the things they do.
Generally, it is a complimentary phrase. It’s not condescending and lets someone know you’re really happy for them and the things they’ve achieved.
Here’s an example email showing you when it might work formally:
Dear Adam,
I’m proud of you and what you’ve achieved. I knew if anyone was going to do it, it would be you.
Kind regards,
Sam Riding
Pros
- It’s a complimentary way to congratulate someone.
- It shows people you care about their achievements.
Cons
- It’s a bit too generic when someone does a good job.
- It’s friendly, so you won’t often find it in overly professional emails.
So, it’s clear that “I’m proud of you” is a great phrase to include in emails or private settings when you’re proud of a friend.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t explore some alternatives.
Keep reading to learn how to tell someone you’re proud of them. We’ve gathered the best synonyms to teach you a different way to say “I’m proud of you.”
What to Say Instead of “I’m Proud of You”
- I’m so impressed by you
- You have every reason to be proud of yourself
- You inspire me
- You’ve done a remarkable job
- I knew you’d be able to do it
- If anyone could do it, it would be you
- You make me so proud
- You’ve really outdone yourself
- I couldn’t be prouder
- Your hard work and dedication are inspiring
1. I’m So Impressed By You
Let’s start with something simple like “I’m so impressed by you.” It’s another way to say “I’m proud of you” that shows you care about someone’s achievements.
It’s respectful and kind, making it an excellent choice when congratulating your partner.
Try it when writing to your boyfriend or girlfriend and letting them know how impressed you are by all the work they’ve put into something.
If you’re still unsure, check out these examples:
I’m so impressed by you! I don’t think you realized just how proud I am of all the work you’ve completed.
Well, I’m so impressed by you. You should stop putting yourself down because you’ve earned this.
2. You Have Every Reason to Be Proud of Yourself
We also recommend trying “you have every reason to be proud of yourself.” It’s a caring and genuine phrase that shows someone should celebrate their own achievements.
It’s also a great way to remind someone not to put themselves down. Instead, it encourages them to rise up and be proud of the work they’ve put into getting where they are.
Also, these examples should clear things up:
You have every reason to be proud of yourself. Not many people can do what you just did here.
You have every reason to be proud of yourself. Seriously, I don’t want you to doubt yourself for a second.
3. You Inspire Me
Knowing how to say “I’m proud of you” without saying it is a great way to spice up your writing. For example, “you inspire me” is an excellent choice that shows someone makes you proud.
If you’re inspired by someone, it means you’re impressed by their achievements.
This means you’re proud in a less direct yet caring way. We recommend using it when emailing colleagues you work with who genuinely impress you every day.
The following email example will also show you how to use it:
Dear Jack,
You inspire me. I know you don’t hear that a lot from me, but I genuinely think you’re a great employee.
Best regards,
Don Taylor
4. You’ve Done a Remarkable Job
We recommend using “you’ve done a remarkable job” instead of “I’m proud of you” in a formal email.
It’s a great phrase to include in a letter or email when highlighting your pride in an employee.
Generally, a phrase like this will boost someone’s confidence. It lets them know you’re impressed by the work they put into something and want them to know that.
If you’re still unsure, review this email sample:
Dear Amy,
You’ve done a remarkable job with this task. You have a gift, and I hope you understand how much I appreciate it.
All the best,
Sean Peterson
5. I Knew You’d Be Able to Do It
You should also try “I knew you’d be able to do it.” It’s a great alternative to “I’m proud of you” that shows you genuinely support someone and believe in what they can achieve.
Try it when sending a message to a friend. It lets them know you genuinely care about them and the things they’ve managed to achieve in life.
It’ll be sure to bring a tear to their eye! That’s why we think it’s such an effective choice when you care about someone and want them to know.
Check out the following examples to see how it works:
Well, I knew you’d be able to do it. Not many people can succeed at things like that, but I never doubted you.
I knew you’d be able to do it because you always know what to do. I’m so happy I get to be there to celebrate with you.
6. If Anyone Could Do It, It Would Be You
Going back to a slightly more professional choice, use “if anyone could do it, it would be you.”
Now, this works incredibly well when complimenting an employee.
It’ll be sure to boost morale and show you value them when the time is right. Generally, the more valued an employee feels, the more helpful they’ll be around the workplace.
It’s a win-win, really.
We also recommend reviewing this sample email:
Dear Michael,
If anyone could do it, it would be you. I knew I picked the right person when selecting you for the role.
Yours,
Tayler Swims
7. You Make Me So Proud
You can’t go wrong with “you make me so proud.” It’s kind and caring, making it an excellent choice when messaging your romantic partner.
Your boyfriend or girlfriend will be so flattered to hear something like this.
It shows you genuinely believe in them, which goes a long way in showing that you care about everything they do in life.
You can refer to these examples to learn more:
You make me so proud. Seriously, I don’t know what I’d do without you in my life because you always inspire me.
You make me so proud to call you my girlfriend. I love everything you do, and I hope you know that.
8. You’ve Really Outdone Yourself
Feel free to use “you’ve really outdone yourself” instead of “I’m proud of you.” It’s another great choice for a formal email that shows you’re impressed with an employee’s work.
Try using it to improve an employee’s opinion of you. It shows you have been looking into the work they’ve done, and you’re really impressed with what you see.
Generally, this will encourage the employee to work harder to impress you. Therefore, you can’t go wrong with it.
You can also review this sample email:
Dear Adrian,
You’ve really outdone yourself. It’s not often I say that, but this project is a genuine work of art.
Kind regards,
Bethany Christians
9. I Couldn’t Be Prouder
You can use “I couldn’t be prouder” when you care about a friend’s achievement.
It’s a great way to let your friend know you appreciate and support their hard work. This shows that you are proud of their success and hope they know that.
Being proud of your friends is a surefire way to show that you care. If you don’t believe us, just try it!
Here are some great examples to help you with it:
I couldn’t be prouder of the hard work you’ve put into this task. Thank you so much for letting me see your progress.
I couldn’t be prouder of your achievement. You’re such a hard worker, and this shows what you can achieve.
10. Your Hard Work And Dedication Are Inspiring
We also recommend using “your hard work and dedication are inspiring” in professional contexts.
If you’re wondering how to say you’re proud of someone formally, it doesn’t get much better than this.
Include it in an email to a successful client. It shows you’re proud of the work they’ve put into their lives to get them where they are today.
Inspiration and pride go hand in hand. So, you can say you’re inspired by someone when you mean you’re proud of them.
Feel free to refer to this email example if you’re still unsure:
Dear Mr. Bryant,
Your hard work and dedication are inspiring to us here. We hope you’ll visit soon to show us more of what you can do.
Best wishes,
Aimee Cringle