mutual gratitude

USAGE SUMMARY

"mutual gratitude" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a way to refer to the feeling of both parties in a relationship or transaction being thankful for the other party. For example, "The two friends parted ways after expressing their mutual gratitude for the time they had spent together."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A discourse of rights or interests thus became a discourse of mutual gratitude, obligation, and love.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Then as they embraced, in mutual gratitude and affection, I had a simple thought, that the greatest things that can be given are not material -- we had little of that -- but the greater gift that comes when one's own happiness is enhanced by the unexpected happiness of another.

The New York Times

As a consequence of the twentieth century's political and socio-economic transformations, the nature of filial obligation has changed; filial piety has morphed into a filial support based upon 'mutual need, mutual gratitude and mutual support for two-way exchange of support and care' (Croll 2008 110).

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

As a result, there has been a shift from traditional filial piety, characterized by a subordination of the young to the will and welfare of parents and grandparents, to filial care based upon 'mutual need, mutual gratitude and mutual support' (Croll 2008 110).

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

I have a speaking engagement at a gala in Canary Wharf for producers of hand-made tapestries to purchase new work and express mutual appreciation and gratitude.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the idea of seeing my interactions in the context of mutual support and gratitude strikes a chord deep within me.

Huffington Post

Yet surely the need, and the gratitude, were mutual; art and her relationships with artists were something to hold on to, keeping her afloat in a life tossed between continents, when all else could appear transitory.

The New York Times - Style

Over the next few decades, the two danced around each other in an extraordinary display of mutual dependence, hostility, loyalty, guilt, gratitude and greed.

The New York Times - Health

But the embrace was so obviously an act of mutual admiration, fueled by encouragement on his part, gratitude on hers, that for just a few minutes, politics did not go on as usual.

Los Angeles Times

He described his "wonderful experience" working with the country when he was chief minister, his gratitude towards Shinzo Abe, its prime minister, and expectations of a strong "mutual strategic partnership".

The Economist

Just as biological harmony was achieved by 'intercellular altruism', so too social harmony, collective survival and human satisfaction could be enhanced by 'interpersonal altruism' or mutual inter-dependence, driven ultimately by striving for, and dispensing, a feeling of gratitude.

History of the Human Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing "mutual gratitude", ensure the context clearly indicates the actions or qualities each party is thankful for. This strengthens the sentiment and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "mutual gratitude" when the benefits or contributions are disproportionately skewed towards one party. This can sound insincere or even ironic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mutual gratitude" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig shows that it represents a shared feeling of thankfulness and appreciation between two or more parties.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mutual gratitude" is a noun phrase denoting a shared feeling of thankfulness. Ludwig highlights its grammatical correctness and provides examples of its use in encyclopedias, news media, and scientific contexts. While the phrase isn't overly common, it accurately describes scenarios where both parties experience gratitude towards each other. Related phrases include "shared appreciation" and "reciprocal thankfulness". To use the phrase effectively, ensure the context reflects genuine reciprocity and avoid overuse in situations where benefits are not equally distributed. The best practices advise on clarifying the grounds for thankfulness, while errors to avoid include overstating gratitude in unbalanced exchanges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reciprocal thankfulness

Highlights the reciprocal nature of the gratitude.

shared appreciation

Focuses on the appreciation felt by both parties, rather than the thankfulness.

joint gratitude

Stresses the unified feeling of thankfulness.

common gratefulness

Emphasizes the shared feeling of gratitude.

united gratefulness

Stresses the solidarity in feeling grateful.

combined appreciation

Focuses on the combined feeling of appreciation.

shared grateful sentiment

Emphasizes the shared emotion of gratefulness.

interdependent gratitude

Highlights the dependence of each party's gratitude on the other.

give-and-take appreciation

Underscores the two-way exchange that fosters appreciation.

reciprocal goodwill

Suggests a broader sense of positive feeling exchanged.

FAQs

How can I express "mutual gratitude" in a formal setting?

In a formal setting, express "mutual gratitude" through carefully worded acknowledgments, such as "We extend our "shared appreciation" for the collaborative effort" or "We acknowledge with "reciprocal thankfulness" the contributions of all parties involved".

What's a less formal way to express "mutual gratitude"?

In a less formal context, you might say, "We're both really grateful for everything" or "It's a "give-and-take appreciation" between us."

Is "mutual gratitude" the same as "mutual appreciation"?

While similar, "mutual gratitude" specifically implies thankfulness, whereas "shared appreciation" can encompass a broader sense of valuing qualities or efforts without necessarily implying indebtedness.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "mutual gratitude"?

It's best to avoid "mutual gratitude" if one party has clearly benefited far more than the other, as it might come across as insincere. It's better to just express gratitude from one side in such cases.