gratefully

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gratefully" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express appreciation or thankfulness in various contexts, often in response to a favor or kindness. Example: "I gratefully accept your offer to help me with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

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

When writing, "gratefully" should be placed to modify the verb it describes, showing how the action was performed with gratitude.

Common error

Avoid using "gratefully" in situations where the sentiment is insincere or sarcastic. Ensure the context aligns with genuine appreciation to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

Gratefully functions as an adverb, modifying verbs to describe actions performed with gratitude. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts, indicating its role in expressing appreciation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "gratefully" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to express appreciation or thankfulness. As Ludwig AI states, it is applicable in numerous contexts, with a strong presence in news media and scientific literature. When employing "gratefully", ensure it aligns with a genuine sentiment and correctly modifies the verb it intends to describe. Alternatives such as "appreciatively" or "thankfully" can be used to subtly alter the emphasis of your expression. By adhering to these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "gratefully" into your writing to convey sincerity and gratitude.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appreciatively

Emphasizes a deeper sense of valuing the action or gift received.

thankfully

Highlights the relief associated with the positive outcome or assistance.

with gratitude

A more formal and emphatic expression of thankfulness.

with appreciation

Focuses on acknowledging the value and importance of the received benefit.

in a grateful manner

A descriptive phrase that emphasizes the way in which thanks are expressed.

obliged

Indicates a feeling of being indebted or thankful for a service or favor.

much obliged

An archaic but still usable form of expressing gratitude, slightly more intense.

with heartfelt thanks

Emphasizes the sincerity and depth of the gratitude being expressed.

warmly

Indicates a positive and thankful reception, focusing on the emotional aspect.

favorably

Suggests a positive reception, though less directly linked to gratitude.

FAQs

How can I use "gratefully" in a sentence?

Use "gratefully" to show appreciation or thankfulness for something. For example, "I "gratefully accepted" the offer of help" indicates thankfulness for the assistance provided.

What are some alternatives to saying "gratefully"?

Alternatives include "appreciatively", "thankfully", or with "gratitude", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "I gratefully accepted" or "I accepted gratefully"?

"I "gratefully accepted"" is generally preferred as it places the emphasis on the gratefulness associated with the action of accepting. The alternative, "I accepted gratefully" is also correct but less common.

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

While both express appreciation, "gratefully" emphasizes the feeling of gratitude, whereas "thankfully" often highlights a sense of relief. You might use "thankfully" if you're relieved by an outcome and "gratefully" to acknowledge a kindness.