thanks for understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'thanks for understanding' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express appreciation for someone's willingness to accept a situation or idea. For example, you might write "Thanks for understanding that this project must take priority."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"Send an e-mail that says thanks for understanding my need to take on extra work or a second job, adding that you are still 100percentt committed to your primary job," said Mr. Keating.

The New York Times

JANET: Thanks for understanding.

The New Yorker

For example, "Thanks for understanding.

WikiHow

Don't reply at all or keep it brief ("Dear John, Not comfortable with this. Let's keep things professional. Thanks for understanding").. Carefully consider the power relationships as you tell your story.

WikiHow

"Sorry and thanks for understanding!" the menu says.

The New York Times

If this person is a repeat offender, it may be time to shut it down once and for all with something like; "You know by now that I don't discuss money; thanks for understanding". And that, my friends, is advice you can take to the bank (that was my last pun - swear).

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Meat and everyone in the band and crew send love and apologies and thanks you for understanding".

Independent

Although Sarris was not necessarily an admirer of the film, Eastwood thanks him nonetheless for "understanding" him from a liberal perspective.

Columbia University

Thank you for understanding".

Independent

A personal thanks to you, Dan Harmon, for understanding why audiences were disappointed and sparing us any "my best friends are gay" style comments in your apology.

Huffington Post

On that front, Yahoo has a lot of potential for understanding its users thanks to its homepage and media properties; it understands their likes in areas of finance, sports, games, and news.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional emails, follow "thanks for understanding" with a brief explanation or reassurance to maintain clarity and professionalism.

Common error

Avoid using "thanks for understanding" when a simple "thank you" suffices. Overuse can dilute its meaning and make you appear insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thanks for understanding" functions primarily as an expression of gratitude, acknowledging the recipient's comprehension, acceptance, or tolerance of a particular situation. This aligns with Ludwig's analysis that it's used to show appreciation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thanks for understanding" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express gratitude for someone's comprehension or acceptance. Ludwig confirms its validity and wide applicability. It's prevalent in news, academic, and wiki contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure sincerity and provide context to maximize its positive impact, while avoiding overuse in trivial situations. Similar phrases, such as "I appreciate your understanding", can offer a more formal alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I appreciate your understanding

Expresses appreciation directly, emphasizing the speaker's gratitude.

I'm thankful for your understanding

Direct expression of thankfulness for their understanding.

Grateful for your understanding

A more concise and emphatic way to express gratitude.

Your understanding is appreciated

Passive voice construction, shifting focus to the understanding itself.

Thank you for your comprehension

Formal rephrasing, replacing "understanding" with the more formal "comprehension".

Thank you for being so understanding

Highlights the quality of being understanding.

I value your understanding

Emphasizes the value placed on the other person's understanding.

Thanks for your consideration

Implies gratitude for considering one's perspective or situation.

Thank you for seeing it my way

Expresses gratitude for agreeing with or accepting one's viewpoint.

I'm obliged for your understanding

A formal and somewhat old-fashioned way to express gratitude.

FAQs

What's the best way to use "thanks for understanding" in an email?

Follow "thanks for understanding" with a brief, clear explanation of the situation. This reinforces your message and avoids ambiguity. For instance: "Thanks for understanding the delay in my response. I was out of the office."

Are there situations where "thanks for understanding" is inappropriate?

Yes, avoid using "thanks for understanding" when you're not genuinely sorry for an inconvenience, or when you're being dismissive. It can come across as insincere or passive-aggressive.

What can I say instead of "thanks for understanding" if I want to sound more formal?

You can use alternatives such as "I appreciate your understanding" or "your understanding is appreciated" for a more formal tone.

How does "thanks for understanding" differ from a simple "thank you"?

"Thanks for understanding" acknowledges that the other person is showing comprehension or acceptance of a potentially difficult or inconvenient situation. A simple "thank you" is more general and doesn't necessarily imply such acknowledgment.