Louer vs. faire l'éloge de

The French language is rich in vocabulary that can express nuances of meaning. Two such words, 'louer' and 'faire l'éloge de', both refer to the act of praising, but are used in different contexts. Understanding the difference between these words is key to using them correctly in conversation and in writing.

Louer

In French, 'louer' means 'to praise' or 'to commend' but can also mean 'to rent' in a different context. When used in the context of praising, it often refers to expressing approval or admiration for someone or something.
Nous devons louer son courage et sa détermination.
(We must praise her courage and determination.)
Il aime louer les qualités de son équipe.
(He likes to commend his team's qualities.)
Elle va louer une voiture pour les vacances.
(She is going to rent a car for the holidays.)

Faire l'éloge de

The phrase 'faire l’éloge de' translates directly to 'to make the praise of' and is used when speaking highly or expressing admiration for someone or something, often in a formal or emphatic manner. It specifically refers to giving tribute or expressing commendation.
L'auteur a fait l'éloge du courage des premiers explorateurs.
(The author praised the courage of the early explorers.)
Pendant le discours, il a fait léloge de la philanthropie de son ami.
(During the speech, he commended his friend's philanthropy.)
Le critique a fait l'éloge du nouveau film pour son originalité.
(The critic extolled the new movie for its originality.)

Summary

While both 'louer' and 'faire l’éloge de' convey meanings associated with praise, ‘louer’ is a versatile verb that can also mean 'to rent' and is commonly used in everyday language, whereas ‘faire l’éloge de’ is a more formal expression typically reserved for specific tributes or commendations, often found in written critiques or formal speeches. Recognizing this difference helps in choosing the appropriate term based on the formality of the situation and the nature of the praise being given.