thanks them for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thanks them for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express gratitude for something someone has done. For example, you could write, "John and Sarah worked hard on the project, so I want to thank them for their hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

On opening night, Artie is assailed by self-doubt, but he is thanked by the cast for his leadership, and he thanks them for trusting him.

Wikipedia

But Amazon thanks them for playing.

The New York Times - Tech

Mr. Levin thanks them for coming without needing a subpoena.

The New York Times

King Flann thanks them for it, even if he had to kill his own son.

The New York Times - Arts

He thanks them for the work they do talking to children.

The Guardian

"US Central Command congratulates these courageous fighters and thanks them for their efforts.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Satisfied that he has gotten the message across, John thanks them all for their time and hard work.

Cornell University

My thanks to them for the pleasure they provide.

The New York Times - Magazine

So thanks to them, for cheering me up".

The Guardian - Sport

We've got to say thanks to them for what they've been willing to do with Gareth.

BBC

"The supporters will have a smile for one afternoon, one night, and it is not the easiest time for the country at the moment, so I'm happy for them and thanks to them for the support".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "thanks them for", ensure the object of gratitude is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying 'He thanks them', specify 'He "thanks them for" their hard work'.

Common error

Avoid using "thanks them for" without clearly defining who 'them' refers to. Ensure the antecedent is unambiguous to maintain clarity for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thanks them for" functions as a verbal expression of gratitude. It explicitly acknowledges and appreciates the actions or contributions of a group of people ('them') for a specific reason.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "thanks them for" is a common and grammatically correct way to express gratitude towards a group of people for something specific. As Ludwig confirms, it is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. The phrase's purpose is to acknowledge and appreciate the actions or contributions of others. While straightforward, clarity is crucial: always ensure the referent of 'them' and the reason for gratitude are clearly stated. Alternatives like "expresses gratitude to them for" or "is grateful to them for" offer subtle variations in formality and emphasis. By avoiding vague pronoun references and ensuring clear communication, you can effectively convey your appreciation when using the phrase "thanks them for".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is grateful to them for

Expresses a feeling of gratitude.

is thankful to them for

Another variation of expressing gratitude.

shows appreciation to them for

Similar in meaning, but uses 'appreciation' instead of 'thanks'.

commends them on

A more formal way of expressing approval and thanks.

extends thanks to them for

Formal and emphatic expression of thanks.

expresses gratitude to them for

Formal alternative emphasizing the act of expressing gratitude.

appreciates what they did

General expression of appreciation.

acknowledges their contribution to

Shifts focus to the specific contribution being recognized.

recognizes their efforts in

Highlights the effort involved.

values their input on

Emphasizes the importance of their contribution.

FAQs

How to use "thanks them for" in a sentence?

You can use "thanks them for" to express gratitude for a specific action or contribution. For example, "The manager "thanks them for" their hard work on the project."

What can I say instead of "thanks them for"?

You can use alternatives like "expresses gratitude to them for", "is grateful to them for", or "shows appreciation to them for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "thank them for" instead of "thanks them for"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "thank them for" when the subject is plural or 'I', 'we', 'you', or 'they'. Use "thanks them for" when the subject is singular and third person, such as 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

What's the difference between "appreciates them" and "thanks them for"?

"Appreciates them" expresses general admiration or value for someone, while "thanks them for" acknowledges a specific action or contribution for which one is grateful. You can also replace appreciates them with "recognizes their efforts in".