Meaning & use
constructive criticism
Last updated
Meanings
phraseuncountable
Comments that point out problems and suggest ways to improve, given to help someone do better.
Grammar: Uncountable: you can say 'some constructive criticism' or 'a piece of constructive criticism', but not 'a constructive criticism'.
Patterns
- give someone constructive criticism
- offer constructive criticism
- receive constructive criticism
- constructive criticism of something
My manager gave me some constructive criticism about my presentation skills.
She asked her editor for constructive criticism before sending the article.
Good teachers offer constructive criticism that helps students improve without making them feel bad.
phrasecountable
A helpful comment or suggestion intended to improve someone's work or behavior.
Grammar: Countable when you mean a single comment: 'a constructive criticism' or 'two constructive criticisms'.
Patterns
- a constructive criticism about something
- offer a constructive criticism
He made a constructive criticism about the team's communication.
Each constructive criticism was written on a sticky note and discussed in the meeting.
Common combinations
- give constructive criticism
- It is important to give constructive criticism gently and clearly.
- offer constructive criticism
- The coach offered constructive criticism after the game.
- receive constructive criticism
- She learned to receive constructive criticism without getting upset.
- constructive criticism about
- We need constructive criticism about the new design.
- a piece of constructive criticism
- He shared a piece of constructive criticism with his colleague.
Synonyms and how they differ
- feedback
- Feedback is a general word for any comments on performance; constructive criticism specifically focuses on helpful suggestions for improvement.
- advice
- Advice is a suggestion about what to do; constructive criticism usually points out a fault as well as a way to fix it.
- critique
- A critique is a careful judgment, often formal and detailed; constructive criticism is more everyday and always intended to help.
Opposites
Word family
- constructively adverb
- In a way that is helpful or useful.
- criticize verb
- To say what is wrong with someone or something.
- criticism noun
- The act of saying what is wrong; negative comments.
Commonly confused: constructive criticism or destructive criticism?
constructive criticism vs destructive criticism
Destructive criticism only points out faults without suggesting improvements, while constructive criticism aims to help.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'constructive criticism' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Constructive criticism' is uncountable, so 'some constructive criticism' is correct. 'A constructive criticism' and 'constructive criticisms' are wrong because the phrase is not used as a countable noun in this sense.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “constructive criticism”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.