how very kind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how very kind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express gratitude or appreciation for someone's kindness or generosity, often in a slightly formal or polite context. Example: "Thank you for helping me with my project; that was how very kind of you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

If someone compliments you on having written The History Boys, are you tempted to murmur "How very kind" and move on?

The Guardian - Arts

How very kind of him.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

This is one of the central mysteries that propelled me through the writing of Retromania: how come the very kind of people who would have once been in the vanguard of creating new music (bohemian early adopter types) have switched roles to become antiquarians and curators?

The Guardian - Music

He is very kind and knows how to treat a girl so I don't have to worry about much.

WikiHow

Write them a very kind letter or card about how much of a good friend they are, and how much you love and care about them.

WikiHow

In fact, I think he was very kind to me - how I escaped the nickname Lingus as a boy is beyond me.

The Guardian - Sport

Well, that's very kind of you Rob – and how did the party go?

BBC

"Have you heard anything from – how can I put this – Bob Jeff Rosenshe," she repeats, "has been very kind".

Independent

How very curious this urge is among composers to turn other kinds of art into operas.

The New York Times

Look how happy that made her!" or conversely, "Oh dear, Molly -- that was not very kind.

Huffington Post

It's very, very kind".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how very kind" when you want to express genuine gratitude or appreciation in a slightly formal or polite manner. It is often suitable when someone has gone above and beyond what was expected.

Common error

Avoid using "how very kind" in very casual conversations. It can sound overly formal or even sarcastic if the context doesn't warrant such elevated language. Opt for simpler expressions like "thanks a lot" or "that's really nice" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how very kind" functions as an exclamatory expression used to convey appreciation or gratitude. It is an adjectival phrase that modifies an implied action or behavior, as mentioned in Ludwig's AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Academia

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how very kind" is a phrase used to express sincere appreciation or gratitude in response to someone's thoughtful actions or words. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and is most appropriately used in neutral to slightly formal settings. While the phrase is not overly common, it effectively conveys politeness and recognition of someone's kindness. When using the phrase, be mindful of the context to avoid sounding sarcastic or overly formal in inappropriate settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how very generous

Similar in structure but emphasizing the generosity of the action.

that's very thoughtful of you

Expresses gratitude by highlighting the thoughtfulness behind the action.

that's awfully nice of you

Uses "awfully nice" to convey appreciation, which can sound slightly more old-fashioned.

that's so generous of you

Emphasizes the generosity of the action being appreciated.

you're too kind

A common expression indicating the speaker feels the kindness is excessive but appreciated.

that was very considerate

Highlights the considerateness of the act.

i appreciate that greatly

A more formal way to express deep appreciation.

i am grateful for your kindness

Formally expresses gratitude for the person's kindness.

it's much appreciated

A concise way to express that the action is valued and appreciated.

that's really decent of you

Uses "decent" to describe the appreciated action, implying moral goodness.

FAQs

How can I use "how very kind" in a sentence?

You can use "how very kind" to express your appreciation for someone's action. For example, "Thank you for helping me with this task; that was "how very kind" of you".

What are some alternatives to "how very kind"?

Alternatives include "that's very thoughtful of you", "that's so generous of you", or "you're too kind", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "how very kind" formal or informal?

"How very kind" leans towards the formal side, suggesting a slightly elevated level of politeness and appreciation. It's less casual than a simple "thanks" but not overly stiff.

When might "how very kind" sound sarcastic?

Using "how very kind" sarcastically can occur when the tone doesn't match the words, such as when someone's action is clearly unhelpful or negative. In such cases, it implies the opposite of its literal meaning.