Here I am, taking a break from our passive voice discussion to answer a couple of questions from one of our faithful readers.
Dear Editrix,
I send out tons of cards and I’m not always sure how to phrase things. What is the proper way to congratulate a graduate or tell someone you are sorry for their loss?
Sincerely, with regards, and thank you,
Ms. M.
Dear Ms. M.,
It sounds like you are a fine friend and that you may be keeping Hallmark in business! Here are the traditional ways to phrase your greetings and wishes.
When celebrating a graduate, it is common to say “Congratulations on your graduation” (rather than for your graduation). For a ton of other ways to say it, try Graduation Card Messages from the Greeting Card Poet. For a previous article on graduation peeves, see this Editor’s Corner from last year: Pet Peeves Graduation.
As for the more serious messages, when you are giving someone your condolences, there are many ways to phrase it. Generally, it is “Condolences on your loss.” This web page (Sympathy Card Messages, also from the Greeting Card Poet) provides many options for what to write, especially if you are so sad you get writer’s block.
I hope this helps!
Editrix
Kara Church
Technical Editor, Advisory
619-542-6773 | Ext: 766773
Symitar Documentation Services
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