Is “Thank You Very Much” Correct? Plus 16 Polite Synonyms

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Formal, casual, & heartfelt ways to express your gratitude

Co-authored by Marissa Levis and Devin McSween

Last Updated: February 28, 2025 Fact Checked

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Is it grammatically correct?

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“Thank You Very Much” vs “Thank You So Much”

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Professional Alternatives

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Casual Alternatives

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Heartfelt Alternatives

“Thank you very much” is a grammatically correct and common way to express your appreciation when someone helps you or does something kind for you. You typically say this in more formal situations when you want to emphasize your gratitude. However, there are lots of other ways to say, “Thank you” in English! In this article, we’ll explain what “Thank you very much” means and teach you professional, casual, and heartfelt alternatives to this phrase. Read on to learn more!

Is it right to say “Thank you very much?”

“Thank you very much” is a grammatically correct phrase in English. It’s a common and slightly formal way to express that you’re extremely grateful for someone’s help, support, or kindness. Other ways to say “Thank you” include “Thank you so much,” “I sincerely appreciate your help,” and “Thanks!”

Section 1 of 5:

Is “Thank you very much” grammatically correct?

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Yes, “Thank you very much” is grammatically correct. “Thank you very much” is a common English expression and a polite, friendly way to express your appreciation for someone’s help or support. It’s a stronger way to say “Thank you,” so you usually use it when you want to express that you’re extremely grateful. It also has a formal tone, so it’s appropriate to say it in professional contexts or to authority figures, as well as to friends and family.^{[1]
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- For instance, it’s correct to say “Thank you very much” when someone does you a favor, congratulates you, compliments you, or helps you with something.
- In the phrase “Thank you very much,” “very” is an adverb that means “extremely,” “exceedingly,” or “greatly.” So, it emphasizes your gratitude and appreciation.
- Example sentences:
  - “Thank you very much for your help today. I appreciate you staying late to get everything set up for the event tomorrow.”
  - “That was so kind of you to buy me flowers for my first day of work. Thank you very much.”

Section 2 of 5:

“Thank You Very Much” vs “Thank You So Much”

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“Thank you very much” is more formal than “Thank you so much.” “Thank you very much” and “Thank you so much” are both grammatically correct and polite ways to express your appreciation and emphasize that you’re extremely grateful to someone. However, “Thank you very much” is more formal while “Thank you so much” is more casual.
- So, stick to saying “Thank you so much” in less formal contexts. Say it to people you know well, like friends, family, and close coworkers, or in quick and casual professional situations.
- While both phrases are sincere and friendly ways to give thanks, some people find “Thank you very much” more genuine than “Thank you so much,” and vice versa. This is simply personal preference and may come down to which phrase is used more where you live.
  - For instance, if “Thank you so much” is used more often where you live, you might find it less genuine because people say it a lot.

Section 3 of 5:

Professional & Formal Ways to Say “Thank You”

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“I sincerely appreciate your help.” Saying that you appreciate someone’s help is a polite and professional way to express your thanks in the workplace and other formal situations. Adding “sincerely” lets your coworker, colleague, or boss know that you are very grateful for their assistance.
- Example: “I sincerely appreciate your help on the paper. We’re getting published thanks to you!”
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“Many thanks.” “Many thanks” is a simple and succinct way to express your gratitude when a coworker helps you out or a colleague does you a favor. Because this expression is short, it’s great to say when you want to quickly acknowledge your appreciation.^{[2]
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- Example: “I heard you led the meeting because I was out sick yesterday. Many thanks!”
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“Thank you kindly.” This phrase is a slightly more thoughtful alternative to “Thank you” that’s still formal enough to use in the workplace or say to authority figures. It adds a more genuine and sincere tone to your message so the person knows you’re truly grateful for them.
- Example: “Thank you kindly for your donation. This will help a lot of people in need.”
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“I am grateful for your help.” Saying “I am grateful for your help” is a more courteous and thoughtful way to express your thanks. This phrase helps you sound more genuine, so use it when you really want to show someone that you appreciate their assistance or support.
- Example: “You are an invaluable part of our team. I am grateful for your help on the project.”
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“Please accept my sincere gratitude.” Use this phrase in very formal situations. “Please accept my sincere gratitude” has a more respectful and old-fashioned tone since you're asking the person to accept your thanks. So, this is a great phrase to use when you’re thanking a very important member of your community or leader at your company.^{[3]
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- Example: “Please accept my sincere gratitude for coming to our event and talking about your experiences. I really appreciate you taking the time to help us.”

Section 4 of 5:

Casual Ways to Say “Thank You”

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“Thanks!” When thanking friends or people in casual situations, most English speakers say “Thanks,” which is a shortened form of “Thank you.” This is a quick way to acknowledge that someone helped you and let them know you appreciate it. If you want to emphasize your thank you but still keep it casual, say something like “Thanks a lot,” “Thanks so much,” or “Thanks a ton!”
- Example: “Thanks a lot for the ride to the airport!”
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“I appreciate it!” Saying “I appreciate it” is another quick, casual way to express your gratitude. This phrase sounds a bit more heartfelt and genuine than “Thanks,” so it’s great to use when you want to let a friend, coworker, or family member know that your appreciation is sincere.
- Example: “I’m so glad you could make it to my art show! I really appreciate it!”
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“I’m so grateful!” “I’m so grateful” is a casual but genuine way to tell someone that you appreciate them. The “so” also adds meaning to your thanks, letting the person know you’re really thankful. Just specify what you’re grateful for, whether the person helped you with a task, gave you a gift, or paid you a compliment.
- Example: “I can’t believe you stayed with me while I was sick. I’m so grateful for your help and company!”
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“You’re the best!” While this phrase doesn’t explicitly mention thanks, gratitude, or appreciation, it’s understood as a sweet and genuine way to praise someone for helping you. This phrase expresses your sincere admiration for someone—in other words, it’s another way to say that you think they’re awesome or amazing.^{[4]
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- Example: “I couldn’t have passed the test without you helping me study all night. You’re the best!”
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“I owe you!” In very casual situations, skip the “Thank you” altogether and simply let the person know that you’ll pay their kindness back. You often use this when someone goes out of their way to help you or does you a big favor.^{[5]
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- Example: “I owe you for paying for dinner last night. The next time we go out, it’s on me!”
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“You’re a lifesaver!” When someone helps you in a really big way or does you a huge favor, use this phrase. While they might not have literally saved your life, it’s a warm and sincere way to express your gratitude and tell them that their support was very meaningful to you.
- Example: “Wow, I can’t believe I forgot my passport at home. You’re a lifesaver for bringing it to the airport for me!”

Section 5 of 5:

Heartfelt Ways to Say “Thank You”

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“I can’t thank you enough.” If someone did you a very special favor or did something incredibly kind for you, use this phrase to express your appreciation. “I can’t thank you enough” means that their help was so important and meaningful to you, that simple words aren’t enough to convey your gratitude.^{[6]
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- Example: “I can’t thank you enough for supporting me throughout my breakup. You really helped me feel better and less alone.”
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“Thank you so very much.” This phrase is an even stronger and more genuine way to express your appreciation than “Thank you very much” and “Thank you so much.” By combining “so” and “very,” you’re telling your loved ones that you’re extremely thankful for their help, support, or kindness.
- Example: “Thank you so very much for your kind words at my wedding. I’m so grateful to have someone as kind as you in my life.”
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“I want to give you my warmest thanks.” For a simple but still heartfelt expression of gratitude, use this phrase. This is a tender and sincere way to convey your appreciation without sounding too sentimental or gushy (if that isn’t your style).
- Example: “I want to give you my warmest thanks for looking after my cat while I was gone. I know it was a last-minute ask, so I really appreciate you helping out.”
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“That’s so very kind of you.” To add a more personal touch to your thanks, say “That’s so very kind of you.” This is a sweet and genuine way to compliment your loved one’s thoughtfulness while also showing them that you appreciate their help or support.
- Example: “That’s so very kind of you to get me a gift! I love the necklace.”
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“I’m extremely thankful for everything you’ve done.” Use this heartfelt and sincere phrase to really emphasize how appreciative you are of a loved one’s help or support. Adding “extremely” and “everything” to your thanks acknowledges how much effort your loved one took to help you and makes it clear that you’re grateful for every single bit.
- Example: “I’m extremely thankful for everything you’ve done to support me. I wouldn’t be where I am without you.”