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Ask for help > I congratulate you on your birthday...
I congratulate you on your birthday...
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*Maria*
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I congratulate you on your birthday...
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Dear collegues!
Recently I �ve heard from an IELTS examiner that we cannot say "I congratulate you on your birthday" because it �s not a person �s achievement. Seems a bit strange... Is it true that the word "congratulate" can be used only when talking about achievements? |
10 May 2013
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edrodmedina
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Hello. Of course it �s an achievement. And as you get older it �s more of an achievement every day. Every time I get out of bed it�s an achievement. Ed |
10 May 2013
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Zora
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Geez... some examiners are *ahem* at times... while the saying is not really used, it is not wrong and I wouldn �t think it strange to hear somebody using it - especially, if you hit a �milestone � birthday like 18, 30, 40, etc.
In fact, some birthday cards state �Congratulations on your special day � - maybe find one and give it to her/him! 
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10 May 2013
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yanogator
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It isn �t the custom here, but it definitely isn �t wrong.
Bruce |
10 May 2013
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*Maria*
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So, is it just "Happy birthday"? |
10 May 2013
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cunliffe
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I hope you have a great birthday/ here �s wishing you a happy birthday/congratulations on your birthday; fine. I congratulate you on your birthday, a bit less so. Not wrong, as the others have said, but not a natural utterance.
You can of course, just say �happy birthday �. |
10 May 2013
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