expressing thanks

USAGE SUMMARY

"expressing thanks" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to politely thank someone for their help or a kind gesture. For example, "I am expressing thanks for the help you have given me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Few players think of expressing thanks.

The New York Times - Arts

Write a letter expressing thanks, and deliver it in person.

University of California, Berkeley

While cooperation was the norm, expressing thanks was not.

The Guardian

But when it comes to expressing thanks, we tend toward uninspired, joyless missives demanded by protocol.

The New York Times - Magazine

Bryant briefly addressed the crowd after the game, expressing thanks for the fans' support.

The Guardian - Sport

Expressing thanks may be one of the simplest ways to feel better.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

The Thank You Note Program helps students express thanks to the donors of their named scholarships at Duke School of Medicine.

Duke University

While saying "thank you" may sound obvious, we're less likely to express thanks at work than anywhere else.

Harvard Business Review

Has your partner expressed thanks for your willingness to sacrifice?

University of California, Berkeley

Religious communities express thanks for God's creation.

Yale University

You'd express thanks for the answerer's good offices.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formal correspondence, use "expressing thanks" to convey sincerity and professionalism. Follow it with a specific reason for your gratitude to make it more impactful.

Common error

In casual conversations, avoid relying solely on "expressing thanks" as it can sound overly formal or stiff. Use more natural phrases like "thank you" or "I appreciate it" to maintain a conversational tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expressing thanks" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as a noun. It describes the act of showing appreciation or gratitude. Ludwig provides many examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

35%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Science

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expressing thanks" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to convey gratitude, as affirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a gerund phrase and is most frequently found in news, academic, and formal business contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to formal settings. For casual situations, consider using simpler alternatives like "thank you". Ludwig also provides numerous examples that illustrate how to use this phrase effectively in different scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offering gratitude

Uses "offering" instead of "expressing", which implies a slightly more active conveyance of thanks.

showing appreciation

Emphasizes the act of demonstrating that one values something.

conveying thankfulness

Replaces "thanks" with "thankfulness", focusing on the state of being thankful.

extending gratitude

Suggests a formal or generous offering of thanks.

voicing appreciation

Highlights the verbal articulation of positive regard.

acknowledging gratitude

Focuses on the recognition and acceptance of thankfulness.

rendering thanks

Implies a formal or ceremonial act of giving thanks.

communicating thankfulness

Highlights the transmission of a feeling of being thankful.

returning gratitude

Suggests giving thanks in response to something received.

paying homage

A more elevated or ceremonial version of expressing appreciation.

FAQs

How to use "expressing thanks" in a sentence?

You can use "expressing thanks" as a gerund phrase acting as a noun. For example, "Expressing thanks is an important part of building relationships."

What can I say instead of "expressing thanks"?

You can use alternatives like "offering gratitude", "showing appreciation", or "conveying thankfulness" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "expressing thanks" or "expressing gratitude"?

Both "expressing thanks" and "expressing gratitude" are correct. "Gratitude" is a more formal synonym for "thanks". The choice depends on the tone and context of your writing.

What's the difference between "expressing thanks" and "saying thank you"?

"Expressing thanks" is a more general and often written form of showing appreciation. "Saying thank you" is a more direct and usually verbal expression of gratitude.