UNIT 4

THANKING PEOPLE AND REPLYING TO THANKS

Picture 1 Giving Thanks (https://www.wikihow.com/React-to-a-Gift-You-Do-Not-Like)

Jane : Oh, hello, Betty, how are you?

Betty : Much better. I just wanted to call you to let you know how much I appreciated
the flowers you sent me.

Jane : I’m glad you like them, Betty. Your husband said yellow roses were your
favorite.

Betty : Yes, they are, and these are certainly beautiful. Thank you so much.

Jane : You’re very welcome, Betty. I just hope you’re feeling better.

Betty : Oh, I am. In fact, the doctor says I can go home the day after tomorrow.

Jane : That’s great!

USEFUL EXPRESSION

All
Not at all!
You use not at all as a polite response to someone thanking you for something:
 ‘Thank you very much for the delicious chocolates.’
‘Not at all!’
 ‘Thank you for driving me home.’
‘Not at all!’
 Thank you very much for helping me
‘Not at all!’

All right
That's all right
You use that's all right as a polite response to someone thanking you for something:
 ‘Thanks a lot for the book. I found it very interesting.’
‘That's all right I'm glad you enjoyed it.’
 ‘Thanks for lending me your bike.’
‘That's all right. I didn't need it today.’

Language Help
You also say that's right in reply to an apology to show that the action or situation that
caused the apology was not important:
'I' m sorry to disturb you.'
'That's all right!'
Cheer
Cheers for...
The expression cheers for... Is very informal form of thank you for... Used in British
English:
 Cheers for the birthday present.
 Cheers for helping me paint the living room.

Generous
It was very generous of you
It was very generous of you is a polite expression that is often added to some form
of thank you when thanking someone for something:
 Thank a lot for the present. It was very generous of you.
 Thank you very much for the necklace. It was very generous of you.

Language Help
You can also use it was very good of you and it was very kind of you in the same
way.

Mention
Don’t mention it
You use don’t mention it as a polite response to someone thanking you for something:
 ‘Thank you very much for the birthday cake.’
‘Don’t mention it!’
 ‘Thanks for giving me a lift to the airport.’
‘Don’t mention it!’
 ‘Thank you so much for lending me your bicycle.’
‘Don’t mention it!’
Nothing
It was nothing
You use it was nothing is a polite response to someone thanking you for doing
something:
 ‘Thanks a lot for driving me home.’
‘It was nothing!’
 ‘Thank for looking after the dog for me.’
‘It was nothing!’
 ‘Thanks for doing the washing-up.’
‘It was nothing!’

Pleasure
It was my pleasure
You say it was my pleasure as a polite response when someone thanks you:
 ‘Thank you for giving me such a lovely handbag.’
‘It was my pleasure!’
 ‘Thank you for baking a birthday cake for me.’
‘It was my pleasure.’
 ‘Thanks a lot for your help.’
‘It was my pleasure.’
 ‘Thank you so much for your directions. You've been a tremendous help.’
‘It was my pleasure.’
 ‘Thanks a lot for looking after the children.’
‘It was my pleasure.’
Shouldn't
You really shouldn't have
You say you really shouldn't have when thanking someone for something, especially
for something expensive or valuable:
 ‘Thank you for the beautiful gold necklace.
‘You really shouldn't have!
 ‘Thank you very much for the beautiful wine glasses.’
‘You really shouldn't have. ‘

Language Help
You can also say you shouldn't have.

Thank (v)
Thank you for
You say thank you for when you are thanking someone for something they have given
you or done for you:
 Thank you for the beautiful flowers which you sent me.
 Thank you for giving me a lift home.
 Thank you for extending compassion and flexibility when I needed it.

Thank you very much for...

The expression thank you very much for… is a more emphatic form of thank you
for...:
 Thank you very much for the book which you sent me on my birthday.
 Thank you very much for lending me a dress for the party.
 Thank you very much for your direction.
 Thank you very much for your support is greatly appreciated.
  Thank you very much for putting your trust in me and agreeing to my
extended holiday request.

Thanks (n)
Thanks for
The expression thanks for... is a slightly more informal form of thank you for...:
 Thanks for the sweets, Jill.
 Thanks for helping me wash the dishes, Meg.
 Thanks for raising your concerns.
 Thanks for spending time with me.
 Thanks for taking the trouble to help me.

Many thanks for....

The expression many thanks for... is a more emphatic form of thanks for...:
 Many thanks for the magazines.
 Many thanks for letting us borrow your car.
 Many thanks for your assistance in our project.
 Many thanks for your letter/email.

Thanks a lot for...

The expression thanks a lot for... is a more emphatic form of thanks for...:
 Thanks a lot for the lovely flowers.
 Thanks a lot for looking after the children for us.
 Thanks a lot for inviting me.
Welcome
You're welcome!
You use you're welcome! A polite response to someone thanking you for something,
especially common in American English:
 'Thank you for the loan of the book.'
'You're welcome!'
 'Thank you for helping me cook the meal.'
'You're welcome!'
 Thanks for all your help. I really appreciate it.
'You're welcome!'
EXERCISE 1
Answer the following questions by choosing the right answer.
Cindy : Oh, I have a headache. Can you take my medicine, please? It's on the table.
Tiny : Of course you are. Here it is.
Cindy : ________________________
1. The suitable expression to complete the dialogue is.…
a. Thank you
b. You’re welcome
c. Never mind
d. Thank you for
e. No, thanks
2. You help someone with a heavy bag. They say ''thank you'' and you reply....
a. No thanks
b. You're welcome
c. I appreciate it
d. I am grateful
e. You blame me
Jane : Thanks for the drink.
Willy : …
3. The suitable expression to complete the dialogue is.…
a. Don’t mention it
b. Thank you
c. Sure
d. Sorry
e. Go away.
John : What can I do for you sir?
Jane : I am looking for a pen with thick black ink.
John : oh, we have some kind of pens you mean. Wait a minute, I’ll take them for
you.
Jane : Thanks a lot.
John : ______________________
4. The suitable expression to complete the dialogue is…
a. Sure
b. It’s my pleasure
c. Thank you
d. Never mind
e. I appreciate it
Yozy : Today is your birthday, right?
Dany : Yes, How do you know about it?
Yozy : Have a wonderful day. I have a gift for you.
Dany : Oh my God I really like it _______________
Yozy : Never mind.
5. The suitable expression to complete the dialogue is…
a. It is disappointing me!
b. It is not special!
c. I’m very satisfied!
d. You shouldn't have!
e. You're too generous!
EXERCISE 2
Answer the following questions.
1. What polite response to an expression of thanks is more common in American
English than in British English?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
2. Insert the word missing from each expression below.
a) Thanks a _______________ for the present.
b) Thank you very ______________ for your help.
c) This present must have been very expensive. You really __________ have!
d) ‘Thank you. It was very kind of you to drive me home.’
‘Don’t ________ it!”
e) ‘Thank for the beautiful flowers.’
‘It was my _________!’
3. In what situation would you use the informal British English expression cheers
for…?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
4. You sometimes say it was very generous of you when you are thanking someone
for something. What similar expression can you also use in this way?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
5. Give two situations in which you might use the expression that’s all right.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
KEY ANSWER
Exercise
Answer the following questions.
 REFERENCES

How to React to a Gift You Do Not Like. (2017, December). Retrieved from Wikihow:
https://www.wikihow.com/React-to-a-Gift-You-Do-Not-Like

Kirkpatrick, B. (2004). English for Social Interaction. In Social Expressions.

Singapore: B & Jo Enterprise Pte Ltd.