The age-old debate!
According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), both "thankyou" and "thank you" are acceptable forms of expressing gratitude. The OED defines "thank you" as:
"A phrase used to express gratitude or appreciation."
As for the hyphenated version, "thankyou", it is listed as a variant form in the OED, with no significant difference in meaning or usage.
In terms of frequency and preference, "thank you" is generally more commonly used than "thankyou". According to Google Ngram Viewer, which charts the frequency of words in books over time, "thank you" has consistently been the more popular choice since the mid-19th century.
That being said, there are some regional and cultural variations that might influence the choice between the two. For example:
* In British English, "thankyou" is often used as a single word (e.g., "thankyou for your help"), while in American English, "thank you" is more commonly used.
* In informal writing or social media, "thankyou" might be used more frequently to create a sense of informality or friendliness.
Ultimately, both "thankyou" and "thank you" are acceptable forms of expressing gratitude. It's up to personal preference and the context in which they're used.
In the UK, "thank you" is indeed considered to be two words. This is because it's a phrase that consists of a noun ("thank") and an adjective ("you"), rather than a single word.
This is in contrast to some other languages, such as French, where "merci" (which means "thank you") is a single word.
In the UK, you're more likely to use phrases like "thank you very much", "thanks a lot", or even just "cheers" when expressing gratitude. However, if you do need to express thanks in writing or in formal contexts, it's common to write out "thank you" as two separate words.
So while "thank you" might not be one word in the UK, it's still an incredibly important phrase that's used frequently in everyday life!
Here are some "Thank you" examples in different situations:
**In formal settings:**
* To a host or hostess at a dinner party: "Thank you for hosting such a wonderful evening."
* To a colleague or business partner: "Thank you for your hard work and dedication to our project."
* In an interview: "Thank you for considering me for the position. I appreciate the opportunity."
**In informal settings:**
* To a friend who helped you with something: "Thanks so much for lending me your car, it really saved me today!"
* To a family member or loved one: "Thank you for always being there to support me."
* In response to a favor: "Thanks a million for watching my kid yesterday! I owe you one."
**In email and letter writing:**
* In a thank-you note after a job interview: "Dear [Interviewer], Thank you again for taking the time to speak with me today. I appreciate your consideration."
* In an email to a colleague who helped you with a task: "Hi [Colleague], thanks so much for your assistance on this project. Your help was invaluable."
**In text messages and social media:**
* To a friend who sent you a funny joke or meme: "Thanks for the laugh! Made my day."
* On Twitter, in response to someone who helped you with a problem: "@[Name], thanks so much for your guidance on this issue. Really appreciate it!"
**In other situations:**
* When someone holds the door open for you: "Thank you!"
* To a stranger who helps you carry something: "Thanks for your help! I really appreciate it."
* In response to someone who gave you a compliment: "Thank you, that means a lot coming from you!"
Remember to always be sincere and specific when expressing gratitude. It shows that you value the other person's time, effort, or contribution.
When to use "Thank you" versus "thank you" in an email:
**In formal emails:**
* Use "Thank you" (two words) when writing a formal email, especially if you're sending it to someone you don't know well or in a professional context.
Example:
Dear Mr. Smith,
I appreciate your time considering my proposal. Thank you for the opportunity.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
**In informal emails:**
* Use "thank you" (one word) when writing an informal email to a friend, family member, or someone you have a casual relationship with.
Example:
Hey Sarah,
Thanks so much for your help with my project. Thank you again!
Best,
[Your Name]
When to use either:
1. **Response emails:** If you're responding to someone's question or request, "Thank you" (two words) is a good choice, as it acknowledges their query and expresses gratitude.
Example:
Dear John,
Thank you for your inquiry about the project. I'll be happy to provide more information.
Best,
[Your Name]
2. **Closing emails:** When closing an email that's not necessarily related to a specific request or question, "thank you" (one word) is suitable.
Example:
Hi Emily,
Hope you're doing well. thank you for your support.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
In summary:
* Use "Thank you" (two words) in formal emails and when responding to someone's query or request.
* Use "thank you" (one word) in informal emails, especially if you're writing to a friend or family member.
Thank you messages are a great way to express gratitude and appreciation towards someone. Here are some examples:
**Formal:**
* "Thank you for your kind consideration."
* "I appreciate the time you took to [action]."
* "Your contribution was invaluable, thank you."
* "I'm grateful for your support and guidance."
**Informal:**
* "Thanks so much for [action]! You're a lifesaver!"
* "Appreciate it, thanks!"
* "You rock! Thanks for [helping me]."
* "Grateful for friends like you!"
**For specific occasions:**
* Birthday: "Thank you for celebrating another year of life with me!"
* Holiday: "Wishing you a wonderful [holiday] and thanking you for the thoughtful gift."
* Gift-giving: "Thanks so much for the [gift]. It really made my day!"
* Help or assistance: "Thanks for your help, it was a huge relief!"
**Verbal:**
* "Thank you so much for everything!"
* "I really appreciate it."
* "You're a lifesaver, thanks!"
* "That means a lot to me, thank you."
Remember, the key is to be sincere and specific when expressing gratitude. Tailor your message to the situation and the person you're thanking!
The age-old debate about "thank you" capitalization!
In general, the rules for capitalizing "thank you" depend on the context and style guide being followed. Here are some common practices:
1. **Informal writing**: In casual emails, text messages, social media posts, or personal letters, it's common to write "thank you" in lowercase: thank you.
2. **Formal writing**: In formal documents, such as academic papers, business reports, or professional correspondence, it's more conventional to capitalize the first letter of each word: Thank You.
3. **Style guides**: Different style guides have varying recommendations for capitalizing "thank you." For example:
* The Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition) recommends lowercase: thank you.
* The AP Stylebook suggests uppercase for formal writing, but lowercase for informal writing: thank you or Thank You.
* The MLA Handbook (8th edition) recommends uppercase for formal writing and lowercase for informal writing: Thank You or thank you.
Ultimately, the choice between "thank you" and "Thank You" depends on the context, tone, and style guide being followed. If you're unsure, it's always a good idea to consult with your editor, instructor, or supervisor to determine the preferred capitalization style for your specific situation.
The "Thank you" reply!
A simple yet powerful way to respond:
1. **Express gratitude**: Show that you appreciate the other person's effort, message, or gesture.
2. **Build relationships**: A "thank you" can strengthen bonds and foster a positive atmosphere in your communication.
Some examples of how you might use this reply:
* Responding to an email or message: "Thank you for reaching out/for your message"
* Acknowledging help or support: "Thank you so much for [helping me with] that"
* Expressing appreciation for a gift or favor: "Thank you for the [gift/favor], it means a lot to me"
Remember, saying "thank you" can make someone's day!
A great choice!
**Thankyou (noun)**: A thank-you note or letter is a written expression of gratitude, typically sent to someone who has done something nice for you. It's a polite and thoughtful way to acknowledge their kindness.
Example sentences:
1. After receiving the gift, I wrote her a heartfelt thankyou note.
2. The company received many thankyous from customers who appreciated the excellent customer service.
3. She took the time to write a long thankyou letter to her mentor for his guidance and support.
In informal contexts, you might also use "thank-you" as an adjective to describe something that is grateful or appreciative in nature. For example:
1. The charity's thank-you campaign raised awareness about their important work.
2. The teacher gave the students a special thankyou prize for their hard work on the project.
Remember that in formal writing, it's generally better to use "thank you" as two separate words (e.g., "I would like to express my sincere thanks to...").