We say “keep up the good work” to be uplifting and appreciative towards someone who has completed a task well or with efficiency. While this is an appropriate statement, it’s always good to have alternative choices. This article will take a closer look at different options we can use.
What Can I Say Instead Of “Keep Up The Good Work”?
While there is nothing wrong with saying “keep up the good work”, this is a very overused statement. This article will be taking a closer look at these different, but similar options:
- You’re doing an excellent job.
- I couldn’t have done it better myself.
- That’s coming along nicely.
- Now you’ve got the hang of it.
- You made that look easy.
- You’re a quick learner.
- I’m very proud of you.
- Way to go.
- Well done.
- I knew you could do it.
The preferred version is “you’re doing an excellent job”. By saying this, we are acknowledging both the effort that someone is putting into a job and the overall quality of the work. This statement is bound to make the receiving person feel good.
You’re Doing An Excellent Job
When we say, “you’re doing an excellent job”, we are commenting on work that someone is presently doing. This is a reassuring comment, as they’re now aware that they’re doing the right thing and that we’re impressed with what they’ve done thus far.
Saying a statement like this fills the receiving person with pride in a job well done – which only increases productivity and work ethic.
Not to mention, this gives them the perspective that everything they’ve accomplished until this point is both correct and greatly appreciated. Therefore, there’s no reason to alter anything or change our work method.
Here are a few examples of this statement:
- You’re doing an excellent job and should be very proud of yourself.
- Don’t change a thing, you’re doing an excellent job!
- You’re doing an excellent job and that has not gone unnoticed.
I Couldn’t Have Done It Better Myself
We can use the phrase “I couldn’t have done it better myself” when we wish to commend someone on a job well done. We would say this after someone has already completed their task and we are merely looking over the results.
To say we “couldn’t have done something better” ourselves is considered to be a very dignified comment. We are openly admitting that someone has accomplished something that we believe we cannot have done.
When someone completes an important task, especially when it’s a favour for us, we ought to show our appreciation. This phrase is a great way of doing just that.
Some examples of how to use this phrase are:
- I couldn’t have done it better myself; you should be very proud.
- You rebuilt that car beautifully. I couldn’t have done it better myself!
- I genuinely love your work and I couldn’t have done it better myself.
That’s Coming Along Nicely
“That’s coming along nicely” is a phenomenal statement to use when we wish to compliment someone’s progress on a project, job, etc. This is not only to show our appreciating or liking, but also to give the worker an inkling of the fact that they’re on the right track.
Much of the time, when we are working on a daunting task, it’s very much appreciated when someone lets us know that we’re doing our work correctly. This eliminates the need to start over or continuously worry that we’re doing something wrong.
When we comment that someone’s work is “coming along nicely”, we are stating that we’re happy with both the efforts and the product thus far.
For clarity, here are a few examples:
- That’s coming along nicely; keep up the good work!
- That’s coming along nicely, just be sure to sand the corners accordingly.
- That’s coming along nicely and is going to be an amazing finished product.
Now You’ve Got The Hang Of It
We can use “now you’ve got the hang of it”, as another excellent alternative to our original statement. When we say this, we are often implying that a person has begun to master a certain skill or technique. When we say this, it’s meant as positive reinforcement.
When someone has gotten “the hang of it”, it means that they have learned or progressed the skills that are needed to do something. This is generally an important moment for folks, therefore, a complimentary statement such as this is generally appreciated.
To help with any confusion, here are a few examples:
- Now you’ve got the hang of it and look at you go! You’re riding a bike all on your own.
- Now you’ve got the hang of it. Those drills are not so hard to use, right?
- All you needed was some practice and now you’ve got the hang of it!
You Made That Look Easy
“You made that look easy” is another complimentary statement we can use to let someone know that they have done a good job. When we say someone makes something appear to be easy, we are highlighting their skill level.
When we say “you made that look easy”, we mean that someone has done something so naturally, it appeared to be effortless for them.
There is a hint of admiration in this statement, as we often say this to someone who possesses abilities that we do not.
Here are some examples of how we can properly use this phrase:
- You made that look easy! Would you mind showing me your tricks?
- You made that look easy and are such a natural.
- I know how difficult that task is and you made that look easy!
You’re A Quick Learner
“You’re a quick learner” is another great option we can use, that still conveys a similar message to our original statement. When we use this phrase, we are meaning it to come across as a compliment. We are highlighting how quickly someone picked up a new skill.
When we say this, we are not only complimenting how quickly a new skill progressed or was mastered, but we are also essentially commenting on a job well done.
We would not say “You’re a quick learner” if we found that someone wasn’t doing a good job or was using improper techniques.
Some examples of how to properly use this phrase are:
- You’re a quick learner and should be proud of your progress thus far.
- You’re a quick learner! I’ve never seen someone pick up the clarinet so quickly before.
- You’re a great team member, hardworking, loyal, and you’re a quick learner! We’re fortunate to have you on our team.
I’m Very Proud Of You
“I’m very proud of you” is considered to be a very kind alternative to our original statement. We can use this statement in a professional setting or for casual use. Regardless of why we say this or to whom, the receiving person is sure to be appreciative.
When we say we are “very proud” of someone, we are generally impressed by something that they have done or just who they are as a person. This is a fact we also usually want other people to know as well.
Here are a few examples of how we can use this phrase conversationally:
- I’m very proud of you and all you’ve accomplished this year.
- I’m very proud of you and would like for you to accept this gift as a token of my appreciation.
- I just wanted you to know that I think you’re an amazing person and I’m very proud of you.
Way To Go
We can choose to say “way to go” as an exclamatory statement, meant to showcase that someone has done an excellent job. We use the phrase to express a multitude of emotions like pleasure, excitement, pride, and general approval.
We generally express “way to go” to emphasize that someone has done a great job. However, we can also use this phrase sarcastically, when someone has done the opposite.
It’s important to remember that humour is only appropriate in certain situations, so we shouldn’t use this phrase sarcastically unless it’s necessary or the receiving person will find it humorous.
To showcase how this phrase is used, here are a few examples:
- Way to go, genius! You know the pigs are supposed to stay in the pen, right?
- Way to go; you’re doing an amazing job!
- Way to go! We are so proud of you!
Well Done
“Well done” is another similar alternative that we can choose to use instead of the original statement. We often use this phrase to express our approval over a completed job. However, we can also use this phrase in a congratulatory sense.
We say “well done” when we believe that a job has been accomplished or carried out successfully or satisfactorily. When can also use this phrase in place of the commonly used, “congratulation” – carrying consistent meaning.
In addition, here are a few helpful examples:
- Well done, you played incredibly well today!
- Well done son, we are so proud of everything you’ve accomplished.
- Well done! Keep up the excellent work!
I Knew You Could Do It
Our last alternative phrase to take a look at is “I knew you could do it”. When we say this, we are wishing to convey our confidence in a person’s abilities, while confirming we never doubted their existence in the first place.
Occasionally, we can get increasingly frustrated with a task we don’t feel qualified or able to do. Because of this, we often get down on ourselves. It’s important to keep this in mind, especially in a leadership position.
Utilizing a phrase like this, we are instilling our beliefs in a person’s abilities, while trying to be uplifting and motivating.
Here are our last few examples:
- I knew you could do it all along!
- I’m so proud of you; I knew you could do it!
- I knew you could do it if you just put your mind to it.
What Does Keep Up The Good Work Mean?
When someone says “keep up the good work”, they’re implying that they’re impressed with the effort and hard work you have put into a task thus far. This is a kind way of saying that we should keep doing what we are doing because they are pleased with our progress.
When someone says this, we should be appreciative or grateful. They have just confirmed that everything we’ve done thus far was valid and accomplished well, meaning we do not need to change our methods of choice.
Had they not mentioned this, we could have worried for the duration of the project that we may need to switch techniques. At the same time, had we been doing our task incorrectly, we may have had to entirely restart. Therefore, we should be thankful for this reassuring bit of information.
You may also like: 11 Professional Synonyms For “Great Job”
Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here.