You’re shopping for groceries when you notice someone struggling to reach a box of cereal on the top shelf. So, you grab it and hand it to them. They give you a big smile and say, “You’re a lifesaver!” before walking away.
You’re confused. It was just cereal. How did you save their life?
Learning different phrases to give thanks will help you better understand and communicate with other people in English.
What's Wrong With Thank You?
Being polite is very important. So, it's always a good idea to give thanks when you can.
Saying “thank you” or “thanks” are two of the most common ways to give thanks in English. But they're not the only phrases you can use. There are many different ways that you or someone else can express their gratitude depending on the situation.
Casual or Informal Phrases For Saying Thank You
Even though it’s still appropriate to say “thank you” or “thanks” in casual situations (e.g. when you’re with your friends or buying something), there are some simple and more interesting phrases that you can use instead:
“Thanks a bunch!”
“Thanks a million!”
“Thank you very much."
“Thanks so much.”
Example: When you’re at a coffee shop and the barista hands you your drink, you can smile and say, “Thanks so much!”
In casual situations, when someone you know well (e.g. family, friends, or coworkers) does a favor for you, you can compliment them or use expressions like:
“I owe you one.”
“You’re a life saver!”
“You rock!”
“You’re the best!”
“I appreciate it.”
Example: If your coworker spends their break helping you catch up on your work, you can say, “I owe you one!”
Because this is someone you already have a relationship with, it's normal to be casual and use a compliment as a way to show your gratitude. It's less common to use these with people you don't know well — unless you want to exaggerate how thankful you are for something they did.
Quiz
Ana is having lunch at a new restaurant. The server gives her her meal. What’s an appropriate thing for Ana to say? Select all that apply:
Saying Thank You Via Text Messages
When texting friends, it’s totally normal to use a short form to say “thanks” or “thank you”.
Examples:
thx= thanks
ty= thank you
tysm= thank you so much
Formal or Serious Ways To Say Thanks
When a simple “thank you” is not enough, you can use some of the phrases below to let them know you are sincerely thankful:
“I’m so grateful for…”
“I’m thankful for…”
“I can’t thank you enough.”
“Your support means the world to me.”
“I truly appreciate…”
These phrases are used in more serious situations, like a heartfelt thank you note or speech.
Example:
It’s Thanksgiving and people are taking turns to say what they’re thankful for. Oscar's new to the country and wants to thank his friends for helping him adjust to his new life and home.
“I’m so grateful to have you as my friends. Your support means the world to me. I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me this year.”
Quiz
Sam is the Principal at a local high school. It’s the end of the school year and she wants to send an email to the staff to acknowledge everyone’s hard work. Which of the following would be the best choice to include in the thank you email?
Take Action
Saying thank you is a great way to show good manners and to let people know how much you appreciate them.
It’s time to put this new vocabulary to use!
Your feedback matters to us.
This Byte helped me better understand the topic.