Well brought up

September 20th


Think you now simple things? I don't.

What you say when you thank someone

1) Thank you – wide use.

Thank you for…

Thank you very much

2) Thanks - use immediately.

Thanks for…

Thanks to somebody – use in speeches.

Thanks a lot

3) Cheers – informal use, immediately.

4) That's very kind of you – formal use, when someone has generously offered to do smth. for you.

5) I appreciate it – when someone has done a lot to help you.

I really appreciate it

6) You shouldn't have – when someone has given you smth, esp. expensive.

What a beautiful ring! You shouldn't have!

7) You've saved my life – when someone got you out of a difficult situation/ solved a problem for you.

8) I'd like to thank – use in a formal speech.

I'd like to thank somebody for (doing) something

9) Many thanks – in a letter.

Many thanks for

What you say to someone when they thank you

1) Don't mention it

"Thanks for the lift!" "Oh, don't mention it!"

2) That's all right/that's OK – informal use.

3) You're welcome – especially American.

4) My pleasure – formal use.

5) Not at all – formal use.

6) Think nothing of it / it was nothing – use when somebody thanks you a lot for smth you have done and they think it was very difficult for you.

7) No problem – informal use, to emphasise that smth was very easy for you.

I’ll drop a variant with sure, for it is common among Americans, and I’m not interested in American English very much.