91 ways to say thank you and you’re welcome in English

The context in which you use each expression is extremely important to make it appropriate. You wouldn't want to use an excessively familiar phrase among colleagues at work, for instance, because it would sound too casual. And on the other hand, if a family member said one of those phrases to you, it could sound overly formal and even disrespectful.

Because of this, sometimes it's easy to forget how to thank someone in English, or you might realize you need to brush up on your skills.

That’s why in this article, we’ll give you a multitude of different ways to say “thank you” and “you’re welcome” in English, explaining the context. These examples give you a basic idea of when to use each phrase - but practicing them will help you put them into action with ease.

The importance of thank you in English

Learning to say “thank you” and “you're welcome” in English is essential for social skills and for your success, whether you're a native speaker or not. Here’s why.

1. It’s important to show gratitude.

If someone does something for you or gives you a gift, it's natural to say "thank you." It doesn't matter how big or small whatever they did for you is. Saying "thank you" shows that you appreciate their efforts. Knowing different English expressions to say “thank you” will make it easier for you to express your gratitude and appreciation appropriately in any situation.

2. It’s polite.

Of course, “thank you” is one of the first phrases our parents taught us when we were little kids. Why? Well, because saying “thank you” is simply polite - and being polite is essential in most cultures.

Still, it's especially so in English-speaking countries. The more polite words and phrases you know, the better your English will sound.

3. It’s a social norm.

Saying “thank you” is a basic necessity, no matter where you live. There are definite social expectations for doing so, and breaking those expectations can sometimes lead to misunderstandings.

In some countries, not saying “thank you” in certain situations means being rude. And you definitely don’t want to come off as a rude person!

How to say thank you in English

So, how do you give thanks to someone in English? By saying “thank you!” This expression is used when:

• someone gives you a gift;
• compliments you; or
• simply does something nice for you.

It’s also used in everyday situations, such as when the lady behind the counter hands you the change at the store.

A less formal way to say “thank you” in English is “thanks.” If you're expressing gratitude to someone you have a formal relationship with, such as your boss or the call center agent you’re talking to on the phone, then "thank you" is the polite way to do it. If you're thanking someone you know, such as a friend or your mum, the more informal version of "thanks" is the best option.

Here are 30+ ways to saythanksin English.

How to say thank you in English formally

When you’re in a formal setting, such as in a business meeting or when talking to your boss, you want to be very careful with the language you’re using to express yourself. While expressing your gratitude is essential, if you do it in a way that is not appropriate for a formal setting, you might come across as unprofessional.

To help you avoid these awkward situations, we’ve come up with 10 ways to formally say thank you in English.

Ways to say thank you in casual English or English slang

Your English vocabulary can’t be complete unless you know a few useful expressions to say thank you in an informal setting. These expressions are used to express gratitude to friends, family members, or other people you have a casual relationship with. And if you’re looking for moreAmerican English slang expressions, we’ve got 321 of them right here.

Here are a few different casual thank you phrases and their contexts.

Ways to saythank youin social media or messaging slang

Seeing a lot of THX, TY, and TGIF all over social media? Getting messages from your friends that look like an undecipherable code? Did you know that these are actually abbreviations of different “thank you” phrases?

If you didn’t, we understand! The older we get, the harder it becomes to keep up with the new social media and messaging abbreviations. But don’t despair! We’ve got you covered with this list of different ways to say “thank you” over the text.

How to write a thank you note in English

In English-speaking countries, it’s customary - and polite - to send a thank-you note after receiving a gift. The same goes for showing appreciation for someone’s hospitality, such as when you stay in their home or enjoy a meal with them.

But how do you write a thank you note for different social situations? Here are some examples:

Example 1- Business

Dear *name*,

Thank you so much for your time and valuable advice last week. I really appreciate everything you’ve done to help get this project moving forward.

Sincerely,*your name*

Example 2- Thank you note to a friend or family member

Dear *name*,

How are you? I just wanted to say thanks so much for your help! I couldn’t have done this without you.

Love you,*your name*

Example 3- Thank you note for a gift

Dear *name*,

I received your gift. It’s lovely! Thank you so much for remembering my birthday. I truly appreciate it.

All the best,*your name*

Example 4- Thank you note for a teacher

Mrs./Mr. *name*,

With this short note, I wanted to thank you for your assistance and advice throughout the academic year. I’m truly grateful for such an amazing teacher.

Please accept my deepest thanks.

Regards,*your name*

Other words for grateful

When someone does something nice for you, it's a good idea to let them know you appreciate their efforts. The word "grateful" is one of the best ways to express your appreciation.

Here are seven different expressions and synonyms of gratitude and appreciation in English:

• I am grateful to you.
• I am indebted to you.
• I’m obliged.
• I’m thankful.
• I appreciate it.
• I’m really appreciative of what you did.
• I can't thank you enough.

How to say you’re welcome in English

In English, “you're welcome” means "you don't owe me anything for what I did" and is the polite way to reply when someone thanks you. Another way to phrase it is "no problem."

The correct way to spell it is “you’re welcome” or “you are welcome” without the contraction. The different spellings you might see on the internet (especially on social media and chats), such asyour welcomeoryoure welcome,are incorrect.

Here are 20 ways to say you’re welcome in English.

Learn to say thank you in English with songs

Songs are a great way to memorize new vocabulary! They are catchy, fun, and can brighten your day. Plus, dedicating a song to someone who’s truly important to you can be an excellent way to express your gratitude to them.

Here are a few songs in English that you can use to express gratitude:

Dido - Thank You

Alanis Morissette - Thank U

Abba - Thank You For The Music

Shania Twain - Thank You Baby!

Thank you for reading!

If you’ve come this far - congrats! With 90+ expressions to say thank you, and you’re welcome in English, you’re now prepared to appropriately express your gratitude and give thanks in any social situation.

We hope that this blog article was truly helpful to you, and we’re grateful that you took the time to read it.

If you enjoyed this article, then remember to check out more English blog vocabulary lessons on ourlearn English blog.