Evaluative language: praise and criticism (C1 Vocabulary)

Laudable praises an aim, commendable praises an action that deserves approval, and incisive praises sharp analysis.

Praising with precision

Not ""The decision was really good." (vague praise that names nothing)" — say ""The decision was commendable, given how much it widened access."". Precise praise like commendable says what earned the approval.
Try it: Lars: The first manuscript aims to make every night bus in the city safer. Amina: A ___ aim, but can one student test that by June? Choose the word for the blank. (laudable / incisive / untenable) Answer: laudable — Praise for an aim is laudable, even when, as here, the result may fall short.

Word	Pronunciation	Example
laudable	/ˈlɔdəbəl/	Widening access through fee waivers is a laudable aim, whatever the practical hurdles.
commendable	/kəˈmɛndəbəl/	Publishing the raw data was a commendable decision that let other teams check the results.
incisive	/ɪnˈsaɪsɪv/	Her incisive reading of the budget exposed the assumption everyone else had missed.

Untenable means a position can no longer be defended, specious means an argument only looks right, and spurious means false.

Not ""The position is specious now that the evidence is out."" — say ""The position is untenable now that the evidence is out."". Untenable says a stance can no longer be held, while specious says an argument only looks convincing.
Try it: Lars: Is the council still saying the new parking rules cut traffic? Amina: Not after last month's figures. That position has become ___. Choose the word for the blank. (untenable / specious / spurious) Answer: untenable — A position that can no longer be defended has become untenable.

Word	Pronunciation	Example
untenable	/ʌnˈtɛnəbəl/	Once the audit surfaced, the claim that the system was secure became untenable.
specious	/ˈspiʃəs/	The proposal rests on a specious argument that longer delays somehow improve quality.
spurious	/ˈspjʊriəs/	The paper treats a spurious correlation between the two trends as if it were causal.

Incorrect	Correct	Why
"The decision was really good." (vague praise that names nothing)	"The decision was commendable, given how much it widened access."	Precise praise like commendable says what earned the approval.
"The position is specious now that the evidence is out."	"The position is untenable now that the evidence is out."	Untenable says a stance can no longer be held, while specious says an argument only looks convincing.