formality in spoken and written english

7/27/2019 Formality in Spoken and Written English

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Formality in spoken and written EnglishWhat does it mean to know a word? The basic meaning is obviously important,but you also need to know how it is spelt, how it is pronounced, how itbehaves grammatically in a sentence and how it is used with other words (itscollocations). You also need to know the types o context and situations in which

the word can be used appropriately.Many words and phrases have similar meanings; they are, on the sur ace,synonymous. However, not all synonyms are appropriate or use in di erentcontexts. Throughout this dictionary, we have included a number o Registernotes to highlight the di erences between synonymous words or phrases thatare more typical o spoken or written English, or o ormal or in ormal contexts.Look, or example, at the entry or proceed . There you will nd a note thatexplains that proceed is typical o ormal contexts, and in in ormal contexts,a native speaker is more likely to say go ahead . Look out or these notes to

ensure that you choose the most appropriate vocabulary or spoken and writtencontexts.

Thesaurus notes also highlight di erences between closely related synonyms.Look, or example, at the Thesaurus box at allow . There you will nd that let isused much more in everyday English than allow , whilst permit is used especiallyin more ormal contexts, or example in written notices and announcements.

The ollowing pages ocus on unctional language language that you use to dosomething, such as agreeing with someone or asking someone to do somethingor you contrasting synonymous words and phrases to explain which ones

are more appropriate or ormal written contexts and which are more suited toin ormal spoken contexts.

ContentsAgreeing A2

Disagreeing A4

Apologizing A6

Opinions A8Requests A10

Suggestions A12

Hello A13

Goodbye A14

Thank you A16


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Agreeingin everyday Englishyoure right/thats right etc

used when you agree with what someone says:Its too ar to walk. Youre right. Lets get a taxi. | This ood was grown without any arti cial ertilizers. Thats right, its completely organic. | He is right when he says that the world economy is acing its mostserious challenge in hal a century.

I agreethis sounds a little more serious and more ormal than saying youre right :All this packaging is unnecessary. Its bad or the environment. I agree. | I agree that there is no suchthing as a bad dog, only a bad owner. | I agree with Pro essor Murphys analysis o the situation.

Dont say agree someones opinion or agree to someones opinion. Say agree withsomeones opinion.

I knowused in spoken English when you have the same eeling or have had the same experience as someone:Its really hot today. I know - I wish I hadnt worn my sweater.

This phrase is very commonly used in everyday conversation, when sympathizing andagreeing with the other person.

in formal Englishshare sbs view/concern/ ear etcto have the same opinion, concern, ear etc as someone else:I share her concerns about the lack o women in high academic positions. | There are many people whowould share this view.

be o the same opinion/viewto agree with someone:

Oppenheimer and many o the worlds leading scientists were o the same view. | Are we all o the sameopinion? (=said in a ormal meeting)

This phrase is used especially when saying that a group o people agree about something.

subscribe to a view/theory etcto agree with an opinion, idea etc and believe that it is right:Some people think that we should abandon arm subsidies, but I, or one, do not subscribe to this view. |Today, the majority o scientists subscribe to the so-called big bang theory o the origins o the universe.

concur with sb/sthto agree with someone. This is a very ormal use.I concur with the previous speaker on both points. | There are many educators who would concur with her opinion.

sb makes a good/valid pointused in ormal situations when you agree with a particular thing that someone has said:The author makes a good point when he argues that we should look at the wider social causes o crime.

sbs point is well madeused when you think that someone has clearly shown that they are right, and that what they say is

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important, especially when you want to add something else as well:Webers point is well made, but is obviously not the whole story.

This phrase is used especially in ormal arguments and discussions.

it is generally/widely accepted that also there is a widely-held view/belie thatused when saying that most people agree that something is true:It is now generally accepted among scientists that global warming is occurring as a result o human activities.

strongly agreeingI totally agree!/I couldnt agree more!/My eelings exactly!used in spoken English when you completely agree with someone:Hes such a nice man. I couldnt agree more! | What a waste o time! My eelings exactly!

I agree entirely/wholeheartedly also I am entirely in agreement with sbused in more ormal English when you completely agree with someone:I agree entirely with the Chie Judges conclusion. | I wholeheartedly agree with the previous writer regarding this company. | He ound himsel entirely in agreement with Churchill.

Absolutely!/De nitely!/Exactly!used in spoken English when answering someone quickly and saying that you completely agree:

I think gas prices are much too high. Absolutely! | We should ask them or more money. De nitely!

Totally! AmE in ormalused in spoken English when answering someone quickly and saying that you completely agree:The guy is an idiot! Totally!

Youre telling me! in ormalused in spoken English, especially when you have had the same experience:The trains are so unreliable these days. Youre telling me - mine was hal an hour late this morning.

partly agreeingI agree up to a point/to some extentused when you partly agree with someone:The economic situation doesnt look too good at the moment. I agree with you up to a point, but I dontthink its nearly as bad as people are saying. | I agree to some extent with this statement.

I have some sympathy with sb/sthused when saying that you understand the reasons why someone thinks something, although youdo not necessarily agree with them completely:

I have some sympathy with the argument that the monarchy seems out o place in our modern world.

there is some/a lot o truth in sthused when you think that some or a lot o what someone says is right: Although these warnings may sound very dramatic, there is some truth in them. | His ideas about love area bit strange, but theres a lot o truth in what he says.

I suppose so/I guess soused in spoken English when you have some doubts about something that someone has said:I think its an excellent idea. I suppose so, but we dont know how much it will all cost.

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Disagreeingin everyday EnglishI dont agree/I disagreeused when you do not agree with someone or something:I think art should be about creating beauti ul objects. I dont agree. Thats a very old- ashioned way o looking at art. | I disagree with the idea that boys and girls should attend separate schools.

no it isnt/no she doesnt etcused when saying that something is not true, in a very direct way:The hotels right next to the airport. No it isnt! Its miles away! | You get much more money than I do. No I dont! Whatever gave you that idea?

thats not true/that is not the case

used when saying that something is not true, in a very direct way:You were on the phone or hours. Thats not true - it was only about 10 minutes! | Although somepeople have tried to suggest that global warming is a myth, un ortunately that is not the case.

in formal EnglishI/sb would dispute sthused when saying that you disagree with something:I would dispute the idea that violent images on television cause people to commit acts o violence. |He is regarded as the USs nest ever gol er, although there are those who would dispute that.

I/sb would take issue with sb/sthused when saying that you disagree with someone or something:I would take issue with some o the reports ndings. | There are many people who would take issue withhim on this.

I (would) beg to diferused when saying that you have a di erent opinion about something, especially in ormal discussions:Thats your opinion. I beg to di er. I think the situation is ar more complicated than you suggest. | It has beensaid that rising oil prices will not really a ect economic growth. Well, I would beg to di er on this.

I dont/cant accept sthused when saying rmly that you do not believe that something is true:Youre implying that he was being deliberately dishonest, and I really cant accept that. | Im sorry, but I just do not accept that argument. | I simply cannot accept that it is justi ed to use torture.

When disagreeing, people sometimes begin by saying Im a raid or Im sorry . This is notan apology, but a way o making their disagreement sound more polite: Im a raid I dont agreewith you. | Im sorry but that really isnt the case.

politely disagreeingIm not so sure/Are you sure?used when expressing doubt about what someone has just said:I think the governments doing a good job. Im not so sure - look whats happened to the economy. |The next meetings on July 26th. Are you sure? I thought it was on the 25th.

Expressing doubt or uncertainty is a much more polite way o disagreeing than sayingdirectly that you think the other person is wrong.

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I wouldnt say thatused when disagreeing with someone in a polite way - used especially when you think someoneis exaggerating:

Shes much better looking than I am. I wouldnt say that! | It will cost a ortune to get another one. Iwouldnt say that!

I take/see your point, but .../you may have a point, but ...used when saying that something else is more important:I think that people who carry knives should be severely punished. I take your point, but what i they eelthat they have to carry them or their own protection?

Yes, but .../I know, but ...used when adding a di erent opinion instead o directly disagreeing:I think we should go by plane - its much quicker. Yes, but its also more expensive. | Hes always takingtime o work. I know, but there are reasons or that.

sb is mistakenused when saying that you think that someone has the wrong idea about something, withoutsaying directly that they are wrong:He is mistaken i he believes that the United States can win the war on terror by military means. | I think youre mistaken about her. Shes just doing her job.

sb is entitled to their opinion/everyone is entitled to their opinionused when saying politely that you think that someone is wrong, especially when you think mostpeople would disagree with them:Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but the acts just dont support what youre saying. | O course hesentitled to his opinion, but I think he is in a minority on this issue.

with all (due) respect/with the greatest o respectused when you are about to disagree with someone in a polite way in a ormal discussion:With all due respect to Mr Jessell, I doubt whether Einsteins theories are relevant to this question. |With the greatest o respect, I disagree with your analysis.

strongly disagreeingI completely/totally disagree also I dont agree at allused when disagreeing strongly with someone or something:I completely disagree with Pro essor Leighs comments. | Its one o her best books! I dont agree at all. Ithought it was very dull.

How can you say that?/I cant believe that youve just said thatused when you are very surprised by what someone has just said, especially when you think they

are completely wrong:I think they should all be taken out and shot. I cant believe youve just said that!

Dont be ridiculous!/Youve got to be kidding!/Rubbish! BrE /No way! AmE used in in ormal spoken English when disagreeing with someone very strongly, and saying that youthink they are completely wrong:Im too tired to do the washing up! Rubbish! You havent done anything all day! | I think she likes you. Dont be ridiculous! | Hes the best player theyve ever had. No way! Johnson was.

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Apologizingin everyday Englishsorry/Im sorrythe usual word to use when apologizing to someone:Sorry Im late - the tra c was really bad. | Im really sorry about all the things I said. | Were deeply sorry (=very sorry) or what happened. | Sorry to bother you - can I ask you about something?

When saying that you are very sorry, you o ten say that you are so sorry : Im so sorry aboutthe delay. | Were so sorry we couldnt be at the meeting.

excuse me/pardon meused when you have accidentally touched or pushed someone, or made a noise such as sneezingor yawning. Also used when interrupting someone, when you want someone to repeat something,

or when you have made a small embarrassing mistake:Excuse me! I didnt mean to stand on your oot. | He yawned and said Pardon me! Its been a long day! |Excuse me - may we come in? | Pardon me, I didnt catch your name. | Excuse me, I meant to say 50, not 15.

Excuse me and pardon me are more common in American English than in British English.When British people accidentally touch or push someone, or make a small embarrassingmistake, they usually say sorry .

I beg your pardonused when you have made a small mistake. Also used when you have not heard what someone

said, and you want them to repeat it:Thats my chair. Oh, I do beg your pardon. | Her name is Fumie. I beg your pardon? F-U-M-I-E.

I beg your pardon sounds a little more ormal than Im sorry or excuse me .

orgive meused when saying that you eel sorry about something, especially when you have said or donesomething that might upset, annoy, or o end someone:Forgive me. I didnt mean to hurt your eelings. | Forgive me or saying this, but you dont look very well.

Forgive me sounds very polite.

I owe you an apologyused when you have done something that you later nd out to be wrong or un air a slightlyormal expression:I owe you an apology or not believing you. | I think you owe him some kind o apology - you shouldnthave spoken to him in the way that you did.

I eel bad/terrible/aw ul about sth

used when telling someone that you regret something and eel sorry about it:I eel terrible now about what I said. | I eel bad that I lied to my parents.

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in formal EnglishI apologize/we would like to apologizeused when apologizing in a ormal way when you have done something that you regret, orexample when you have o ended someone. Also used in ormal announcements, notices, andletters rom companies and organizations:I apologize or my behaviour yesterday. | The airline would like to apologize or any inconvenience causedby the cancellation o the fight. | Do you nd that suggestion o ensive? I so, I apologize.

You apologize to someone or something you have done.

please accept my/our apologies or sthused when apologizing or something, especially in ormal written English:

Please accept our apologies or the delay in responding to your email. | First o all, please accept my apologies or any con usion about the dates o the con erence.

I/we regret sthused when telling someone about something that you apologize or, or that the other person mayeel disappointed about, especially in ormal written English:I regret that I will be unable to join you at the meeting. | We regret that on this occasion your application hasbeen unsuccess ul. | The Evening Post has since removed the story rom its website, and we regret the error.

replying to an apologydont worry/thats OK/thats all rightused when accepting someones apology in everyday spoken English:Sorry, I didnt realize that you were having dinner. Thats per ectly OK - eel ree to join us. | I eel really bad about all the mess. Dont worry. I can always clear it up later.

it doesnt matter/its not a problem/no problem also no worries BrE in ormalused when telling someone that something is not important:Sorry were late. It doesnt matter - weve only just started. | Ive orgotten to bring any money with me Im really sorry. Its not a problem. I can lend you some.

its no big deal/its not the end o the world/these things happenused when telling someone that something is not serious and they should not eel worried about it:Im so sorry about the vase. Its not the end o the world - we can always get another one. | I wish wehadnt argued. Thats all right. These things happen.

orget itused when accepting someones apology and quickly telling them not to worry, in a riendly way.Also used when you still eel annoyed and do not want to talk to the other person, or accept theirapology:Sorry I was so angry with you the other day. Forget it - you had every right to be annoyed. | Sorry i Imade you look stupid. Just orget it, will you!

apology acceptedused when accepting someones apology. This phrase sounds rather ormal and not very riendly,and is o ten used when you still eel a little annoyed:Im sorry Im late or class. Apology accepted - but make sure that it doesnt happen again.

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Opinionsin everyday EnglishI think (that)

this is the usual way o talking about your opinions in everyday English:I think that the law should be changed. | We always thought he was so cool. | Do you think that peopleshould be able to work as many hours as they like?

Dont use this phrase in essays and ormal writing. See next page or written alternatives.

I believe (that)used when talking about strongly held belie s, especially about moral issues:I believe that the death penalty should be abolished. | I believe it is wrong to kill animals. | We rmly believe that the value o li e is not measured by wealth.

I believe (that) sounds rather serious, and is used about things that you believe in very strongly.

I eel (that)used when talking about your opinions, especially when they are based on your general eelings:I eel he is too old or the job. | I eel that appearances are very important. | I cant help eeling that our main priority should be dealing with climate change.

personally/as ar as Im concernedused when you want to emphasize your own personal opinion:

Personally, I dont care how much it costs. | As ar as Im concerned, they should stop complaining and geton with their work. | He can say what he likes, as ar as Im concerned.

it seems to me (that) also the way I see it spoken /i you ask me spokenused when giving your opinion about something, especially when there is a lot that you want tosay about a situation:It seems to me that the world would be a much better place i we didnt rely so much on our cars. |The way I see it, there are only two real choices. | I you ask me, they should give kids ewer tests, not more.

Using these phrases will give you time to think about what you want to say. In addition, it is a

good idea to vary your language and use them instead o always saying I think that ...

in my opinion/viewused when talking about your opinions, especially about serious subjects:In my opinion, hes mistaken. | It is, in my view, one o the nest buildings in London. | Learning Chinesecharacters is, in my opinion, the most time-consuming and di cult part o the language.

Dont use in my opinion in ormal essay writing. See next page or written alternatives.Dont say according to my opinion.

speaking asused when introducing your opinion by mentioning something important about yoursel , whichmakes you able to talk about it rom personal experience, or a ects your eelings about it:Speaking as a regular user o the railway, I can only say that the service has gone down in recent months. |Speaking as a mother o two young children, I eel really concerned about the uture o our planet.

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in formal written English

In ormal written English, you usually avoid using phrases that begin with I, and in my

opinion when writing about your opinions. In essays, it is o ten better to quote other peoplesopinions to support your argument, rather than saying I think that ... This will give yourargument more authority.

in this writers view/opinion also it is this writers view/opinion thatused in ormal writing instead o in my opinion :This is the most important section o the book, in this writers opinion. | It is this writers view that thenew city centre is a great improvement on the old one.

as sb points out/notes/remarksused when re erring to another writers opinions, and what they have said: As Lowry points out in her article, teaching does not have the same status as research. | As Dawkinsnotes in his discussion o the evolution o the eye, eyes have evolved between orty and sixty times, inmany di erent invertebrate groups.

express the view/opinion thatused when re erring to another writers opinions, and what they have said:Freud himsel expressed the view that some dreams may be orgotten because they are too upsetting. |Thomas Je erson expressed the opinion that or a state to be healthy, it needed to have a revolution every 20 years.

according to sbused when saying what other people, organizations, reports etc have said: According to the researchers, some patients tended to see their illness as a punishment. | Locally-grownood can be better or the environment than organic ood, according to a report published yesterday.

Dont say according to me or according to my opinion. You can only use according to whensaying what other people, reports etc have said.

be o the opinion that/take the view thatused when saying what someones opinion is:6 out o 10 EU citizens were o the opinion that the European Union should have a single currency. | TheCourt took the view that he had acted legally.

it is sbs belie thatused when saying what someone believes to be true:It is our belie that children should enjoy their time at school. | It was their belie that certain individualswere born with criminal tendencies.

or sbused when saying what someones opinion is, especially when this is a general opinion that a ectstheir other ideas about a subject:For Dawkins, genes are everything, or at least they can account or everything. | For Ruskin, art wassomething that could not be produced using machines.

rom sbs point o view/standpointused when saying how someones situation a ects their opinion:From the armers point o view, it is better to have too much rain than none at all. | From a businessstandpoint, it made per ect sense to combine the two operations together.

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Requestsasking someone to do something in everyday Englishcan you

this is the usual way o asking someone to do something:Can you open the window? | Can you tell him Ill call him later?

will youthis sounds rather direct and is used especially when telling someone you know well to do simplethings or you:Please will you pass the salt? | Will you get me another drink rom the ridge?

could you/would you/do you think you couldthese phrases sound more polite than can you or will you . You use them especially when talking to

people you do not know well, or when asking someone to do something difcult or important:Could you put this case up on the rack or me? | Do you think you could give her a message?

would you mind/I wonder i you would mindthese phrases sound more polite than could you . You use them especially when talking to peopleyou do not know well:Would you mind closing the door? | I wonder i you would mind coming into my o ce or a minute?

I someone asks you Would you mind doing sth? , you can say (No) o course not i you agreeto do what they ask, or example: Would you mind looking a ter the children or me? O course not.That would be ne. I you dont want to do what someone asks, you usually say Im a raid/Im sorry and then givea reason, or example: Would you mind looking a ter the children or me? Im a raid Ive arrangedto go out this evening.

could you possibly/is there any way you couldused when asking someone to do something that is likely to be difcult or inconvenient or them,when you think the answer could easily be no:Is there any way you could change the date o the meeting? | Do you think you could possibly lend mesome money until next Friday?

more formal ways of asking someone to do somethingI was wondering i you could/would it be possible or you toused when asking someone to do something in a very ormal and polite way, especially when youare not sure that they will be able to do what you ask:I was wondering i you could help me? Im trying to nd the principals o ce. | Would it be possible or you to come in or an interview some time next week?

I would be grate ul i you could/I would appreciate it i you couldused in ormal letters and in other ofcial contexts:I would be grate ul i you could send me an application orm. | I would appreciate it i you could answer aew questions or me, Mrs Atkins.

would you be so kind as toan extremely polite phrase, used when speaking very care ully to someone you have never metbe ore:Would you be so kind as to ll out this orm? | Would you be so kind as to excuse me or a moment?(=used when telling someone that you need to leave them or a ew minutes)

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Suggestionsin everyday Englishwhy dont you/we

this is the usual way o making a suggestion in spoken English:Why dont you talk to her about it? | Why dont we go out or a meal some time?

letsused when suggesting that you should do something together soon:Lets meet in ront o Shibuya station. | Lets see whats in the movie guide.

i I were you, I would or Idused when suggesting what you think is the best thing or someone to do, based on your personalexperience and knowledge:

I I were you, I would be very care ul about giving your address on any public websites. | I I were you, Idtake it easy or the next ew days.

how about/what aboutused when someone has asked you to suggest a time, place, idea etc:Whens a good day or you? How about Monday? | Where do you think we should go? What aboutBarcelona? Its supposed to be very beauti ul.

what do you think aboutused when suggesting something, and asking someone what they think about it:

What do you think about a holiday in Greece? | What do you think about a party at my place on Saturday?

you could always/we could always/theres alwaysused when suggesting ideas to someone, when they are not sure about what to do:You could always ask someone to record the programme or you. | We could always go or a walk. |Theres always the pub on the corner.

less direct ways of making suggestionswhat i /supposeused when suggesting something as a possible idea:What i we painted the room yellow? That sounds a bit too bright to me. | Suppose you asked the samequestion in a di erent way?

People o ten make suggestions in a less direct way by using maybe or perhaps , or by usingmay / might , or example in the ollowing expressions:

maybe we could/perhaps you couldused when making a suggestion in a less direct way:Maybe we could ask people i theyd be interested in having a concert? | Perhaps you could change thesettings on your computer?

you might like to/you may want toused when suggesting what someone should do in a less direct way:You might like to ask them or their advice. | You might like to try giving your lawyer a call. | I yourethinking o buying a holiday home in the sun, you might like to consider Croatia.

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Helloin spoken Englishhi

used as a riendly greeting when you meet someone, or start a telephone conversation with someone:Hi, everybody. Welcome to our new home! | Hi, Gwen did you have a nice weekend?

helloused when you meet someone, or when you start a telephone conversation with someone:Hello. Could I speak to someone in customer service, please? | Hello, Mrs Jones. How are you?

In everyday English, most people usually say hi because it sounds more riendly. Hello is usedespecially when talking to people you do not know well.

hey in ormal especially AmE used as a friendly greeting when you see someone you know well and you want to start talking to them:Hey, Scott! Good to see you!

good morning/a ternoon/eveningused when meeting someone at a particular time o day:Morning everyone. Sorry Im late. | Good morning, class! | Good a ternoon, Mr Smith.

Good morning etc sounds rather ormal. In everyday English, people usually just sayMorning! etc, without saying good.

How are you?used when you are greeting someone, especially when starting a conversation with them:Hi Helen. How are you? Im ne. And you?

How are you doing?/Hows it going?/How are things? in ormalused when you are greeting someone, especially when starting a conversation with them:Hi, Helen. How are you doing? Im good, thanks. How about you? | Hows it going, Tom? I havent seenyou or a long time!

Whats up?/Whats happening? in ormalused when you are greeting someone, especially when starting a conversation with them:Hey Joey. Whats up, buddy? | Hi, Ray. Whats happening? How are they treating you these days?

These phrases sound very in ormal.

How do you do? ormalused when you meet someone or the rst time, especially a ter you have just been told their name:John, Id like you to meet our new project manager, Nisha Patel. How do you do?

How do you do sounds very ormal. These days people o ten just say hi when meetingsomeone or the rst time.

pleased/good/nice to meet youused when you meet someone or the rst time and have just been told their name:Richard, this is my brother Ronnie. Nice to meet you, Ronnie. | My name is Lena Curtis. Pleased tomeet you, Im David Bennet.

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have a nice dayused especially by people working in shops when saying goodbye to customers:Heres your change. Have a nice day.

take care also look a ter yoursel BrE used when saying goodbye to someone, especially someone you like, to show that you care about them:Bye love! Take care. You too! Bye!

cheerio BrE goodbye:Right ...were going now. Cheerio then! Bye!

Cheerio sounds rather old- ashioned and is used especially by older people.

in emails and informal lettersall the best/bestused at the end o in ormal emails:Hope to see you soon. All the best, Joanne

You usually end in ormal emails with your rst name. You can also end with the rst lettero your rst name, or example All the best, J. I you have just exchanged several emails withsomeone, you can leave out your name at the end, because it is understood.

regards/best wishesused at the end o emails to people you o ten write to, or people you work with, especially peoplewho are not close riends. Regards sounds a little ormal:Speak to you soon. Regards, David. | Thanks or all your hard work. Best wishes, Michael

love/love rom in ormalused at the end o emails to close riends and amily:Take care. Love, Katie | Look orward to seeing you. Love rom Mum

in formal letters and emailsyours sincerely BrE /sincerely AmE /yours truly AmE used at the end o ormal letters and emails:We will contact you directly, as soon as your order is ready. Yours sincerely, Paula Jordan (Ms), Customer Sales Manager | Thank you or your interest in our products. Yours truly, Stephen Merill

In British English, yours sincerely is used only i you have used the persons name at the starto the letter or email. In American English, sincerely and yours truly can be used to end any

ormal letter or email.

yours aith ully BrE /sincerely AmE /yours truly AmE used at the end o ormal letters and emails:I await your reply. Yours aith ully, Lisa Johnson (Mrs)

In British English, yours aith ully is used when you do not know the name o the person youare writing to. In American English, sincerely and yours truly can be used to end any ormalletter or email.

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Thank youin everyday Englishthank youThank you or all your help. | Im writing to say thank you on behal o everyone at Rock ord ProductionsInc. or your support and encouragement during the past year. | I just wanted to send a big thank-yourom all o us or making last weekend so enjoyable.

Be care ul about spelling. Thank you is usually spelt as two words, but the noun thank-you isspelt with a hyphen.

Dont say I thank you. Just say thank you , or I just wanted to say thank you .

thanksin everyday spoken English, people usually say thanks rather than thank you :

Thanks again or a lovely evening. | Many thanks or all your hard work. | You did a great job. Thanks a lot!

I cant thank you enoughused when you are very pleased because someone has been very help ul or generous:I cant thank you enough or everything you did on my wedding day!

it is good/nice/kind o you also thats kind o youused when thanking someone or doing or saying something:It was good o you to come all this way. | Its nice o you to say those things. | Ive brought you some moreco ee. Thats very kind o you.

in more formal EnglishI appreciateused when thanking someone, especially when they have been very help ul to you:I really appreciate all your comments and suggestions. | We appreciate everything youve done or us.

I am most grate ul/deeply grate ulused when thanking someone in a ormal way:I am deeply grate ul to my colleague, Helen Jones, or her guidance and encouragement. | We are mostgrate ul to all those who have lent works to the exhibition.

I would like to express my appreciation/gratitudeused when thanking someone in a very ormal way, especially in a ormal speech:I would like to express my appreciation to the French government or hosting this meeting and or their kind hospitality.

replying when someone says thank youdont mention it/youre welcome/my pleasureused when replying to someone who has just thanked you:Thanks or letting us use your o ce. Dont mention it! | Thank you or all your advice. Yourewelcome! | Thank you or showing us around the college. My pleasure.

thats all right/anytime/no problemthese sound more in ormal than dont mention it etc and are very common in everyday spokenEnglish:Thanks or showing me around the city. Thats all right! | Youve been really help ul! Anytime!

A16

formality in spoken and written english

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