thanks

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'thanks' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express gratitude, appreciation, or politeness. For example, "Thanks for inviting me to your party!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Thanks, but no thanks.

The New York Times - Sports

Thanks for reading – and thanks especially to all those who wrote in with valuable context and ideas.

The Guardian

No thanks.

The New York Times

With thanks to: 10 10; FOE; Project Dirt; Neighbourly; UK Community Foundations Groundwork Businessss in the Community Federation of Cityy Farms and Community Gardens; the Prince's Trust; Garden Organic; the Royal Horticultural Society; the RSPB Keep Wales Tidyy; The Wildlife Trusts; and Mind.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"GMG is entering a new period of growth, thanks to the strategic leadership of Andrew Miller and Alan Rusbridger.

The Guardian

Renewal of the expiring Patriot Act powers would come through the USA Freedom Act, a House-passed bill that extends their lifespan in exchange for killing the bulk US phone records surveillance exposed in 2013 by the Guardian, thanks to whistleblower Edward Snowden.

The Guardian

She is repeatedly rescued, but always by men or by chance – she never escape catastrophe thanks to her own ingenuity.

The Guardian - Film

It is such a money spinner thanks to its integrated advertising packages that the network doubled it to two series each year in 2013 without killing audience enthusiasm.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The eurozone's third biggest economy grew 0.3% quarter on quarter, slightly more than expected thanks to a pickup in domestic demand.

The Guardian - Business

Episode one grabs your lapels and drags you headlong back into the Whitechapel filth, and within a few short minutes the air is thick with horror and calamity thanks to "an event".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

However, he would regret it if the church lost its "credibility" among non-attenders who, he says, frequently feel warmly disposed to it "thanks to generations of love and service".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing appreciation to multiple people, consider using "thanks to" followed by the list of names. For example, "The project succeeded thanks to John, Mary, and Susan."

Common error

While "thanks" is versatile, avoid overusing it in highly formal settings like academic papers or official reports. Opt for more formal alternatives such as "we express our gratitude" or "acknowledgment is given to" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "thanks" is an interjection used to express gratitude or appreciation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a common way to acknowledge a kindness or service, similar to phrases like "thank you" or "I appreciate it".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thanks" is a versatile and commonly used expression of gratitude. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for various contexts. While generally neutral in register, more formal expressions like "thank you" may be preferable in certain settings. Use "thanks" to acknowledge kindness or assistance, but be mindful of the specific context and consider alternatives for enhanced impact or formality. The expression is most frequently found in "News & Media", "Formal & Business" and "Science" sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

many thanks

Expresses a higher degree of gratitude through quantity.

grateful thanks

Combines two words indicating appreciation, intensifying the sentiment.

thank you kindly

Adds politeness and warmth, intensifying the expression of thanks.

I appreciate it

This expresses direct appreciation, shifting from a general expression to a personal sentiment.

I am thankful

Expresses personal thankfulness, similar to "I'm grateful" but slightly more formal.

I'm grateful

This expresses a deeper sense of thankfulness, emphasizing gratitude.

with gratitude

A more formal and heartfelt way of expressing thanks.

much obliged

A more formal and somewhat old-fashioned way of saying thank you.

I owe you one

Implies indebtedness for a favor, adding a sense of future reciprocation.

appreciation

Focuses on acknowledging the value of something done.

FAQs

How can I use "thanks" in a sentence?

You can use "thanks" to express gratitude. For example, "Thanks for your help". It can also be used as part of a phrase, such as "thanks to", indicating the reason for something.

What are some alternatives to saying "thanks"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "I appreciate it", "I am grateful", or "much obliged".

Is it appropriate to use "thanks" in formal communication?

While acceptable, it might be better to use more formal alternatives like "I express my gratitude" or "I am thankful" in very formal contexts.

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

"Thanks" is a shorter, more informal version of "thank you". Both express gratitude, but "thank you" is generally considered more polite and suitable for formal situations.