applaud 两个层次：① 字面：鼓掌，拍手（the audience applauded = 观众鼓掌）；② 比喻：称赞，赞扬（某行为值得肯定：we applaud the government's decision = 我们赞扬政府的决定）。用法：applaud sb./sth.（为…鼓掌/赞扬）；applaud sb. for doing（因做某事而赞扬某人）。名词：applause（掌声，不可数：a round of applause = 一阵掌声；burst into applause = 爆发出掌声）。注意：applause 是不可数名词（× an applause → ✓ a round of applause）。
释义
1
v.鼓掌（字面）
The audience rose to their feet and applauded enthusiastically as the conductor took a final bow.
观众起立，在指挥家最后一次谢幕时热情地鼓掌。
2
v.赞扬，称赞（比喻）
Environmentalists applauded the city's decision to ban single-use plastics, calling it a significant step towards sustainability.
环保人士称赞该城市禁止一次性塑料的决定，称其是迈向可持续发展的重要一步。
语感
applaud sb. for doing = 因…而赞扬；applause 不可数（× an applause → ✓ a round of applause）
鼓掌（字面）赞扬，称赞（比喻）
比喻义高频用于书面议论文：applaud sb. for sth./doing（因某事/做某事而赞扬：we should applaud those who speak out = 我们应赞扬那些敢于发声的人）；widely applauded（受到广泛赞扬：the reform was widely applauded = 改革受到广泛赞扬）。名词 applause：a round of applause（一阵掌声）；receive/earn applause（获得掌声/赞誉）；burst into / break into applause（爆发出掌声）；thunderous applause（雷鸣般的掌声）。注意：applause 不可数，× give an applause → ✓ give a round of applause。
陷阱
⚠️applause 不可数（× an applause → ✓ a round of applause）
✗
The speaker received an applause from the audience after delivering an inspiring keynote address.
演讲者在发表鼓舞人心的主题演讲后获得了观众的掌声。（× an applause → ✓ applause / a round of applause）
applause 是不可数名词，不加冠词 an；× an applause → ✓ applause 或 a round of applause
✓
The speaker received a round of applause from the audience after delivering an inspiring keynote address.
演讲者在发表鼓舞人心的主题演讲后获得了观众一阵掌声。
⚠️applaud sb. for（因某事赞扬），for 介词固定
Human rights organisations applauded the court for upholding the defendant's right to a fair trial.
✗
applaud for = 错误介词，应用 applaud + 直接宾语（不需要 for）
✓
applaud sb. for sth./doing（因某事赞扬某人）是固定结构：applaud the court for upholding = 赞扬法院维护了…；比单独的 applaud sb. 多了「因为」的原因说明；介词 for 表示原因，正确
人权组织赞扬法院维护了被告获得公正审判的权利。（applaud sb. for doing = 因做某事而赞扬某人，for 正确）
近义辨析
applaudvscommend
applaudapplaud（赞扬，比喻义，含公开称赞意味：we applaud the initiative）commendcommend（称赞，推荐，更正式书面：commend sb. for = 正式表彰某人；commend a proposal = 推荐某提案）
Business leaders applauded the government's decision to cut corporation tax, saying it would boost investment.
商界领袖称赞政府削减企业税的决定，称此举将促进投资。
The independent committee commended the hospital for its innovative approach to patient care and record recovery rates.
独立委员会表彰该医院在病患护理方面的创新方式及创纪录的康复率。
写作加分
✨ 加分词
替换：praisesupportagree with
政策评价议论文社会进步话题环境保护话题
普通
We should praise companies that reduce their carbon footprint.
我们应该称赞那些减少碳足迹的公司。
加分 ✨
Society should applaud companies that prioritise environmental responsibility, as their commitment to reducing emissions sets a benchmark for the entire industry.
社会应该赞扬将环境责任放在首位的企业，因为它们在减少排放方面的承诺为整个行业树立了标杆。
为什么更好：applaud（赞扬）比 praise 更书面正式；sets a benchmark for 比 is good for 有更强的示范性表达；整个行业维度提升论点广度