Here are some English expressions to encourage and appraise people when they are doing something.

1. ENCOURAGING PEOPLE
José Antonio Alcalde
I always loved these quotes by Thomas A. Edison “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain
way to succeed is always to try just one more time” and “Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent
perspiration”.
Learning a foreign language, apart from vocabulary, pronunciation or grammar, also means being able to interact
with people in varied social situations. Certainly, we belong together and must help each other, especially in
difficult times. In this document we will see some expressions we can use when encouraging people. Remember
we all like a pat on the back from time to time so why don't we do our little bit?
(*) is used for those very colloquial or informal expressions
STARTING UP...
Why not...?
Give it a try.
Go for it.
It is worth a go.
What are you waiting for?
What do you have to lose?
Just do it.
You might as well.
You can do it!
Do your best! = Do the best you can!
Follow your dreams.
Reach for the stars.
Do the impossible.
Believe in yourself.
The sky is the limit.
Good luck!
WHEN PROBLEMS COME...
Hang in there!
Keep pushing! = Keep fighting!
Don't give up! = Never give up! = Never say “die”!
Stay strong!
Come on! You can do it!
I will support you either way.
Nobody said it would be easy.
That's the way!
I'm behind you 100%.
ENCOURAGING ON THE GO...
There you go!
Keep up the good work! = Keep it up!
You have really improved! = You're getting better!
I am so proud of you!
You are on the right track!
Just a little bit more!
You've almost got it!
Nice going!
Outstanding effort!
Keep on trying!
WHEN FAILING...
That was a good try / nice effort.
Amazing effort!
I am sure you did your best!
You tried hard though!
Next time!
Better luck next time!
Don't be a sore loser.

2. PROPOSALS FOR IMPROVEMENT...
Why don't you...?
How about …?
Perhaps you could...
What if …?
Maybe if you...
You could also...
CONGRATULATING...
Good job!
Unbelievable work!
Nice job! I'm impressed!
Perfect ten! = Wonderful!
Congratulations on...!
Hooray! = Wow!
Great! = Phenomenal! = Superb! =Excellent!
* Cool! = Awesome! = *Sweet!
Two thumbs up!
Terrific! = Outstanding performance! = Marvelous!
You've outdone yourself!
Super job! = Magnificent!
Exceptional! = Breathtaking!
Incomparable! = Incredible! = Lovely!
First rate work! = Fantastic work!
Spectacular work! = Remarkable!
You're #1! = You're a champ!
You're tops! = You're amazing! = You're neat!
You've got what it takes!
How extraordinary! = That's incredible!
You're the greatest!
Top notch!
Right on!
That's perfect!
Nice one!
Wicked! = Stunning!
Well done!
You rock! * = You rule!*
You did it! =You've got it! = You came through!
Way to go!
Good for you!
You should be proud!
I knew you had it in you! = I knew you could do it!
It couldn't be better!
You're a good sport!
You go the extra mile!
It is a masterpiece!
Very brave! = Radical!
Getting better all the time!
Hats off to you!
It's whiter that white!
Practice your encouraging skills making up dialogues for these situations and remember to avoid one
or two words expressions so you practice as much English as possible:
1) Your best friend is taking his/her driving test again for the 9th
time and feels really worried.
2) Your little sister is rehearsing for her school play. She is really shy and needs your support.
3) Your brother had an important science test and just passed it after long hours of study.
4) Your little son has painted his first “self-portrait” on the living-room wall.
5) Your partner cooked your favourite meal as a surprise but it got burnt.
6) Your father has a job interview tomorrow after two years jobless.
7) Your neighbour, and old friend, is tired of his/her old job and wants to try something new for a
change in his/her life.
8) Your classmate thinks he/she is not clever enough to finish his/her studies and is thinking about
dropping out of school.
9) One of your friends did something terrible to another friend but isn't brave enough to admit it
and sort it out now.
10) One of your students (not the smartest one) presents you a project and you know it was hard
work for him/her. Give him/her some credit.