#165: How to Express & Respond to Appreciation in English

Do you know how to express your thanks in English when someone does something nice for you? Or how to respond when someone shows their appreciate to you? It is not enough to just say, “Thank you” or “You’re welcome.” If you want to be a fluent English speaker, you need to know what is the right word to use and when, so we will show you in this episode, talk about why appreciation is so important, AND share a native gratitude resource for you.

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Words You’ll Learn:

• Hot damn! – a exclamation of pleasant surprise
• Near and dear to my heart – something that is of great value or appreciation to you
• Grumble – complain about something in a bad-tempered way
• Mutter – to something in a low voice, usually in irritation or dissatisfaction
• Thorns – A sharp projection on the stem of a plant
• Prick – to make a small hole with a sharp point
• Stop and smell the roses – to slow down and take time to appreciate the little things
• Buzzing – full of energy and conversation
• Ulterior motive – a secret second reason behind someone’s actions
• Velcro – material used to fasten and unfasten two objects or materials (like on a shoe)
• Teflon – a slick material used to make things not stick to each other
• Slippery – difficult to stand on or hold because of a smooth, wet, or slimy texture
• Take (something) for granted – to not recognize something’s value
• A roof over your head – expression used to say that one has shelter
• Running water – the water in one’s home that comes through the pipes
• Cup-o’-Joe – another way to refer to a cup of coffee
• Call (someone) out on (something) – to recognize out loud someone’s mistake
• Backhanded comment – a hidden insult within a compliment
• Cold call/email – to call or email sa stranger to ask for a favor or sell something
• Over the Top – excessive

Expressions for Appreciation:

• Thank you / Thanks (is thank you more formal?)
• Thanks a bunch / Thanks a million / Thanks so much (for…)
• I really appreciate it
• I owe ya one (reduction of you)  
• You’re the best/the greatest/the bees knees
• I can’t believe you did this, thank you.
• You don’t know what this means to me
• I’m eternally grateful
• Asking for a favor/ Thanking someone ahead of time
  • Thanks in advance (esp. email)
  • I would really appreciate it if you could… 
  • I would be so grateful if you could…  

Response:

• You’re welcome (always a contraction)
• Don’t mention it
• No worries / No problem  
• Of course
• My pleasure/ it’s a pleasure
• For sure

Links/Resources:

• Oprah and Ekhart Tolle on gratitude
• Amy Cuddy
• Tony Robbins gratitude practice
• Tony Robbins interview
• I am not your guru (Tony Robbins Documentary)

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