Do you know what to say when someone thanks you in English?
And do you know how to say you’re really grateful when someone helps you – or offers you help?
In this lesson, you’ll learn useful English phrases to:
- Say thank you in everyday English
- Show real appreciation
- Accept someone’s thanks naturally
We’ll start with a short, friendly conversation. Then we’ll explore some typical British English phrases for saying “thanks” and learn how people use them.
Contents
Saying and accepting thanks: example dialogue
This short conversation shows two friends using natural English phrases to give and respond to thanks.
Jim is thanking Ben for a favour. Ben is happy to help and responds in a friendly way.
Listen
Listen to the dialogue and answer the questions that follow. Then review the phrase breakdown.
Dialogue transcript
Read the full conversation below. These are real-life English phrases you can use to say or accept thanks.
Jim: Hey, Ben, just wanted to say thanks a lot for giving me that lift the other day. I really appreciate it, mate.
Ben: Hey, no worries Jim, you’re more than welcome.
Jim: Well, you really saved my life, there.
Ben: Well, like I say, it was a pleasure. No big deal, yeah?
Jim: Well, thanks again, anyway. It was really kind of you. You’re a real star, mate!
Ben: Any time!
Phrase guide: saying and accepting thanks
Here’s a breakdown of the phrases from the dialogue.
Saying thank you
These phrases all mean “thank you” in friendly, casual ways.
- Thanks a lot!
- I really appreciate it.
- Thanks again!
- It was really kind of you.
- You’re a real star!
You can also say:
- Cheers!
- Thank you so much!
- Nice one!
- Ta!
- That’s so kind of you!
- Oh, that’s so sweet!
Showing deep appreciation
This phrase shows that you’re really grateful:
- You really saved my life there!
You can also say:
- I really appreciate what you’ve done.
- I’m really grateful for it.
- You’re a star!
- It made such a difference.
Accepting thanks
These phrases are used when someone says thank you to you.
- No worries.
- You’re more than welcome.
- It was a pleasure.
- No big deal.
- Any time!
You can also say:
- You’re welcome.
- Oh, it was nothing, really!
- No problem.
- No biggie!
More useful phrases to talk about thanks and appreciation
These are extra phrases that are not in the dialogue, but are commonly used in English when saying or accepting thanks.
Extra expressions
| Phrase | Plain English |
|---|---|
| Cheers! | Thanks! |
| Nice one! | Good job / Thanks! |
| I’m really grateful. | I really appreciate it. |
| It made such a difference. | It really helped a lot. |
| No biggie! | It was no problem. |
Pattern focus: modifiers of intensity
Many phrases used to give or respond to thanks include words that make the feeling stronger. These are called intensity modifiers.
An intensity modifier is a word like really, so, or very.
These words and phrases come before adjectives, adverbs, verbs or nouns to make them sound stronger or weaker.
Examples from the dialogue:
- I’m really grateful. (really = very; makes the feeling stronger)
- It was really kind of you. (really shows the kindness was strong or clear)
- You really saved my life there! (really shows how big the help was)
Exercises to practise saying thanks!
Practise what you’ve learned with these simple activities.
1. Match the phrase to its meaning
Match each English phrase to the plain English meaning:
- Thanks a lot.
- You’re more than welcome.
- It was really kind of you.
- I’m really grateful.
- No biggie!
a. I’m very thankful.
b. That was very nice of you.
c. You don’t need to thank me.
d. You’re very welcome.
e. Thank you very much.
2. Match the phrases to a likely response
- A: Thanks again for your help!
- A: That was so kind of you!
- A: I’m really grateful.
a. Oh, it was nothing, really!
b. You’re more than welcome.
c. No worries at all.
3. Finish the sentence (speaking practice)
Complete the sentence, then try saying it aloud.
- I really appreciate..
- You’re a real..
- It was really kind..
Answer key
1. Match the phrase to its meaning
- Thanks a lot. → e. Thank you very much.
- You’re more than welcome. → d. You’re very welcome.
- It was really kind of you. → b. That was very nice of you.
- I’m really grateful. → a. I’m very thankful.
- No biggie! → c. You don’t need to thank me.
2. Match the phrases to a likely response
- A: Thanks again for your help! → c. No worries at all.
- A: That was so kind of you! → a. Oh, it was nothing, really!
- A: I’m really grateful. → b. You’re more than welcome.
3. Finish the sentence (possible examples)
- I really appreciate you picking me up.
- You’re a real star, mate!
- It was really kind of you to take the time.
