Meaning & use
commendeth
Last updated
“commendeth” is a form of “commend”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitivearchaicreligionliterary
(in old use) praises someone or something, especially in a formal or religious way.
Grammar: Old third-person singular form; the subject is he, she, or it. Today we say 'he commends'.
Patterns
- commendeth someone
- commendeth something to someone
In the old prayer, the speaker commendeth the sick person to God's care.
The preacher commendeth those who give generously to the poor.
Each verse of the hymn commendeth the goodness of the Lord.
verbtransitivearchaicformal
(in old use) presents or gives something to someone for their care or attention.
Grammar: Often followed by 'to' plus a person: commendeth something to someone.
Patterns
- commendeth something to someone
He commendeth his spirit to God in the final line.
The letter commendeth the matter to the king's judgment.
Word forms
| base form | commend |
|---|---|
| third person singular (modern) | commends |
| past tense | commended |
| past participle | commended |
| -ing form | commending |
Common combinations
- commendeth someone to God
- In the burial service, the priest commendeth the dead to God.
- commendeth someone for something
- The old text commendeth the servant for his loyalty.
- commendeth a person's spirit
- Like Christ on the cross, he commendeth his spirit into higher hands.
- highly commendeth
- The chronicle highly commendeth the queen's wisdom.
Synonyms and how they differ
- praises
- The modern everyday word for saying good things about someone; 'commendeth' is the old, formal, religious form.
- extols
- A formal word meaning to praise highly, but it is still used in modern writing, unlike 'commendeth'.
- lauds
- Formal or literary praise, often in journalism; it is not tied to old religious language.
Opposites
Word family
- commend verb
- The modern base verb: to praise or recommend someone.
- commendable adjective
- Deserving praise; used of behavior or efforts.
- commendation noun
- An official praise or award for good work.
- commendatory adjective
- Formal, rare word describing something that expresses praise.
Commonly confused: commendeth or commandeth? commendeth or comments?
commendeth vs commandeth
A different old verb form from 'command' (to order). 'Commendeth' means praises or entrusts; 'commandeth' means orders.
commendeth vs comments
Sounds similar but means gives opinions or remarks, not praise. Do not mix up 'commend' and 'comment'.
Practice
In the old hymn, the poet ___ the faithful to God's protection.
Choose one answer.
'Commendeth' is the archaic third-person singular of 'commend' and fits the old religious style of the hymn. 'Commends' is modern and would break the old-fashioned tone, 'commenteth' is not a real form of 'comment' in this sense, and 'commandeth' means orders, which changes the meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “commendeth”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.