Congratulations is the correct spelling. Congradulations is a misspelling, and you won’t find it in any standard dictionary.
People often type “congradulations” because the word sounds a bit like it has a “d” in the middle. It doesn’t. The spelling has a t: con-gra–t-u-la-tions.
Why “congradulations” feels right
The mix-up comes from sound. In most speech, the “tu” in congratulations is pronounced like “chu.” So the word sounds like “kun-GRAT-chuh-LAY-shunz.” The “ch” sound is close to “j” or “dj,” and that is where the “d” slips in.
Another cause is the word graduation. People often say congratulations to someone who is graduating, so the two words sit close together in the mind. Graduation has a real “d” (grad-u-ation), and the spelling can leak into the other word. The two words are not related, though. “Graduation” comes from a Latin word meaning “step,” while “congratulations” comes from a Latin word meaning “to wish joy.”
Where the word comes from
Congratulations comes from the Latin verb congratulari, which means “to wish joy to.” It joins con- (“with”) and gratulari (“to rejoice”). The root is related to gratus, meaning “pleasing” or “thankful.” You can see the same root in words like grateful and gratitude.
That root is a useful clue. Congratulations has “grat,” like gratitude. It does not have “grad,” like graduate.
A simple way to remember the spelling
Think of the word as two parts you already know:
- con + gratulations
- “Grat” is the same start as grateful and gratitude.
If you can spell “grateful,” you can spell the middle of “congratulations.”
How to use the word correctly
Congratulations is a plural noun. It is almost always written with an s at the end, even when you are congratulating one person.
- Congratulations on your new job!
- Congratulations to the whole team.
- Congratulations, you passed the test!
The single form, “congratulation,” exists but is rare. You will see it in phrases like “a word of congratulation.” For everyday messages, use the plural.
Some other points about usage:
- On, not for. Say “congratulations on your promotion,” not “congratulations for your promotion.”
- Verb form. The verb is congratulate: “I want to congratulate you.”
- Short form. “Congrats” is a casual shortening. It works in texts and social media but is too relaxed for formal letters.
- Capital letter. Capitalize it at the start of a sentence or greeting, and in a title. Otherwise, use lowercase.
Common misspellings
| Wrong | Right |
| congradulations | congratulations |
| congradulate | congratulate |
| congradulation | congratulation |
| congratulatons | congratulations |
| congrajulations | congratulations |
The last two are also seen in writing. They come from the same sound problem, or from skipping a letter while typing.
Quick check before you send
If you are writing a card, email, or post, look at the middle of the word. You should see g-r-a-t-u-l-a. If you see a “d” after “gra,” fix it.
The short answer
Use congratulations. Spell it with a t, not a d, and remember it shares its root with “grateful.” “Congradulations” is a misspelling, even though it sounds natural when you say the word aloud.
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I write clear, practical English lessons for everyday use. On Lingotexting, I break down grammar, vocabulary, and word types into simple ideas you can apply quickly. My focus is accuracy, real examples, and helpful visuals, so learners build confidence, improve writing, and communicate naturally in school, work, and daily life.