Showed gratitude

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Showed gratitude" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an action where someone expressed thankfulness or appreciation for something received or experienced. Example: "After receiving the award, she showed gratitude to her colleagues for their support throughout the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

If that person showed gratitude, how did it make you feel?

University of California, Berkeley

Their encouragement energized me, but I feared tipping if I showed gratitude.

The New York Times - Sports

I offered lifts to old ladies in colorful embroidered skullcaps who showed gratitude by touching my chin and kissing their hands.

The New York Times - Travel

At least they showed gratitude, though, unlike the "manipulative help-rejectors" (a.k.a "crocks"), who constantly replaced one symptom with another and were never more self-satisfied than when the doctor's diagnosis was wrong.

The New Yorker

The researchers found that the more parents took action to cultivate gratitude in their kids on a certain day, the more their kids showed gratitude on that same day compared to days when the parents took less action and compared to other kids whose parents took less action.

University of California, Berkeley

They showed gratitude and made people feel appreciated.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

And they show gratitude".

The New York Times

We aim to show gratitude.

Harvard Business Review

That would be the best way of showing gratitude".

The New York Times

But of course one may show gratitude at any time.

The New York Times

"Show gratitude... Don't complain; just work harder... Never give up".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider varying your phrasing to avoid repetition. While "Showed gratitude" is perfectly acceptable, using synonyms like "expressed thanks" or "conveyed appreciation" can add nuance and sophistication to your writing.

Common error

Avoid phrasing that obscures who is showing the gratitude. Instead of "Gratitude was showed", use "She showed gratitude" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "showed gratitude" is as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a sentence. It describes an action of expressing thankfulness or appreciation. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples where the phrase is used to indicate a demonstration of gratitude.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "showed gratitude" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express thankfulness or appreciation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, conveying a sense of positive acknowledgment. While its register is mostly neutral, it appears most frequently in News & Media, academic, and Wiki contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the recipient or cause of the gratitude. Alternatives like "expressed thankfulness" or "conveyed appreciation" can add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Expressed thankfulness

Uses a more formal term, "thankfulness", instead of "gratitude".

Expressed thanks

A more direct and simple way to convey the same meaning.

Displayed gratitude

Similar to "showed", but emphasizes the visual aspect of expressing gratitude.

Conveyed appreciation

Employs the word "appreciation", suggesting a deeper level of recognition.

Expressed gratitude

Uses "expressed" instead of "showed", suggesting verbal or written communication.

Demonstrated gratefulness

Uses "demonstrated" implying a more active or visible display of gratitude.

Exhibited gratefulness

Similar to "demonstrated gratefulness", implying a visible display of thankfulness.

Acknowledged with gratitude

Highlights the act of acknowledging something specifically while feeling grateful.

Indicated appreciation

Suggests a subtle or indirect way of showing thankfulness.

Returned kindness

Focuses on reciprocating a kind act as a form of gratitude.

FAQs

How can I use "Showed gratitude" in a sentence?

"Showed gratitude" is typically followed by a prepositional phrase indicating the recipient or cause of the gratitude. For example, "She "showed gratitude" to her mentor for his guidance".

What's a more formal alternative to "Showed gratitude"?

Formal alternatives include "Expressed thankfulness" or "Conveyed appreciation". These options are suitable for professional or academic contexts where a higher level of formality is required.

Is it always necessary to specify to whom gratitude was shown?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the recipient of the gratitude provides context and makes your expression of gratitude more meaningful. Without it, the statement can feel incomplete or vague.

Which is correct: "Showed gratitude to" or "Showed gratitude for"?

Both are correct, but they imply slightly different things. "Showed gratitude to" emphasizes the recipient of the gratitude (e.g., "She "showed gratitude to" her parents"), while "Showed gratitude for" emphasizes the reason or cause of the gratitude (e.g., "She "showed gratitude for" their support").