Gratefully

USAGE SUMMARY

"Gratefully" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express appreciation or thankfulness. Example: "Gratefully, I accept your offer." Alternative expressions include "Thankful" and "Appreciatively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So when the dentist asked me, "Would you like an injection?" I smiled gratefully, "No thanks!" "Are you sure?" he asked.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"From the very beginning, I've always belonged to you," Mary tells her husband's murderer gratefully.

The Guardian - Film

"He has sent some very good dispatches from the front in terms of knocking on doors in Rochdale," Cameron gratefully acknowledged, "and this is what he says... ...... Miliband suddenly remembered that he had something really important to say to Lucy Powell on his left.

The Guardian

Shelvey deserved the credit but his fulminating strike from 25 yards was diverted by the head of Gomis, who was trying to get out of the way, and the goal was given to the Frenchman, who gratefully accepted the gift.

The Guardian - Sport

The most gratefully I have ever been thanked for anything was on the postnatal ward with my second baby, when the first-time mother in the bed opposite had been crying and calling out for ages at 3am (nobody came; yes, I know they are unmanageably overstretched), and I went over and sat on her bed.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Indians have gratefully accepted this olive branch and senior officials from the two countries are likely to meet for preparatory talks later this month.

The Economist

Any suggestions for 2009 will be gratefully received.

The Economist

He was a born-again Christian and, seeing that my colleague had three small howling children, offered them a lift, which they gratefully accepted.

The Economist

At NATO headquarters, all contributions are gratefully received.With that in mind, the Strategic Defence Review envisaged a force structure which (in addition to Northern Ireland) can cope with one stable peacekeeping effort and one "active operation", which might involve fighting.

The Economist

Venturing into a restaurant, they would quietly and even gratefully accept some tepid muck masquerading as Brown Windsor soup, with a smear of margarine on bread, followed by Spam and bottled salad cream on two wilting leaves of lettuce, topped off by jelly and custard.

The Economist

The American firm even dealt the low blow of citing InBev's Cuban businesses as a reason to reject the bid.These tactics came to nothing, however, after InBev opened its wallet and upped the offer to $52 billion, which Anheuser-Busch gratefully accepted on Sunday July 13th.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gratefully" to express sincere appreciation for a specific act or gesture. It adds a personal touch to acknowledgments.

Common error

Avoid using "gratefully" in situations where a simple "thank you" would suffice. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your expression sound insincere.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "gratefully" primarily functions as a manner adverb, modifying verbs to describe how an action is performed with gratitude. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is both grammatically sound and widely accepted. Examples show it modifying actions like 'accepted', 'smiled', and 'acknowledged'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gratefully" is a versatile adverb used to express sincere appreciation, with Ludwig AI confirming its grammatical correctness and common usage. It's frequently found in news, academic and professional contexts, where a thoughtful expression of gratitude is fitting. While alternatives like "appreciatively" and "thankfully" exist, "gratefully" often conveys a deeper sense of emotion. Remember to use it judiciously to maintain its impact and sincerity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Appreciatively

Focuses more on the expression of appreciation for something done.

Thankful

Expresses a state of being filled with thanks.

With gratitude

More formal and emphasizes the feeling of gratitude.

In appreciation

Highlights the act of showing appreciation.

With thankfulness

Similar to "with gratitude" but slightly less formal.

Obliged

Expresses a sense of duty to repay a kindness.

Beholden

Suggests a feeling of being indebted to someone.

Indebted

Stronger sense of obligation than "obliged".

Kindly

Implies a warm and friendly manner in response to a kind act.

With a sense of obligation

Highlights the feeling of being bound by gratitude.

FAQs

How can I use "gratefully" in a sentence?

You can use "gratefully" to express appreciation for something. For example, "I "gratefully accepted" the offer" or "She smiled "gratefully at him"".

What are some alternatives to "gratefully"?

Alternatives to "gratefully" include "appreciatively", "thankfully", and with "gratitude". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "gratefully"?

While "gratefully" is generally appropriate for expressing thanks, it's important to consider the context. In some cases, a simpler "thank you" might be more suitable. Overuse can diminish its impact.

What is the difference between "gratefully" and "thankfully"?

"Gratefully" emphasizes the feeling of gratitude, while "thankfully" focuses more on the action of giving thanks. They are often interchangeable, but "gratefully" can convey a deeper sense of appreciation.