People often thank us for our proofreading. But even gratitude can cause spelling problems! In particular, it can be tricky to know whether to write thank you, thankyou, or even thank-you.
So, is “thank you” one word or two? Check out our guide to find out.
Thank You as Two Words
As a verb phrase, “thank you” is always two words. Or to put it another way, you should always use two words for the act of thanking someone:
Thank you for walking my dog.
We can also use this term as a noun (i.e., something given as thanks):
I’ll send your mom some flowers as a thank you.
Or we can use it as an adjective to modify another noun:
I received a thank you note in the mail today.
So no matter how you are using “thank you,” you can write it as two words.
Thankyou as One Word
Until recently, writing “thankyou” as a single word was generally considered an error. And some people still don’t like it! But the single-word version of this term is more common now than it used to be, especially as a noun or an adjective. For instance:
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I’ll send your mom some flowers as a thankyou.
I received a thankyou note in the mail today.
Alternatively, some people hyphenate “thank-you” when using it as a noun or adjective. So we could rewrite the examples above as follows:
I’ll send your mom some flowers as a thank-you.
I received a thank-you note in the mail today.
However, you cannot use these versions of the term as a verb. And you should not write “thankyou” or “thank-you” at all in formal writing unless you’re sure your style guide permits it.
Summary: Is Thank You One Word or Two?
In American English, we almost always write “thank you” as two words. This applies whether you use it as a verb phrase, a noun, or an adjective. However, other versions are gaining acceptance.
How you write “thank you” may thus depend on how you use it:
- As a verb phrase, always use two words (e.g., Thank you for your time).
- As a noun or an adjective, you can write it as two words, as a single word, or with a hyphen. However, some still consider writing it as a single word incorrect, so use two words in formal writing.
And if you’d like someone to check your writing, get in touch with Proofed.
Our parents teach us early on to say or write “Thank you” to people for their kindness and generosity. However, learning to use “thank you” in a sentence correctly is saved for grammar lessons taught in school.
“Thank you” is only correct as two words. It may also be hyphenated as a multi-word adjective. Most of the time, “Thank you” stands alone as a minor sentence in both speaking and writing. It is the most common way to express appreciation in the English language.
This article will discuss the different definitions and uses of “thank you” in various forms. It will also provide examples of when “thank you” is appropriate and when to use more formal or informal variations of “thank you.”
What Does “Thank You” Mean?
“Thank you” is a gratuitous response to a kind act or compliment. Saying “thank you” is more formal than its more casual counterpart, “Thanks.”
You hear it most in situations involving customer service. It is also a popular response to military veterans and those actively serving in the Armed Forces.
These formal situations commonly involve interactions between strangers expressing appreciation. For example, customers are appreciated for their business, and those serving in the Armed Forces are appreciated for their acts of protection.
“Thank you” is a typical response amongst friends and family when gifts and favors are involved. Giving gifts and favors go above the normal expectations of a relationship, so a proper expression of appreciation, such as saying “Thank you,” is an expected reaction.
The formal “Thank you” is also a response to a compliment, whether from a stranger, friend, or family member. Using “Thanks” for a compliment on your new haircut or a job well-done is less meaningful and appreciative than responding with a semi-formal “Thank you.”
We also relay grateful responses in writing. “Thank You” is a typical ending for both business and personal letters. Moreover, we use it when sending “’thank-you” letters.
The words “thank” and “you” are always two words when written as a verb and a subject. “Thank” and “you” as a noun or adjective appear as two words or a hyphenated, two-word adjective when placed before the noun it modifies, respectively.
Here are some examples to better understand the use of “thank you” as a noun (green) or an adjective (blue):
- The bride and groom send thank-you notes for every gift received.
- The band always ends the concert with thank yous to the audience and crew.
- He sent a thank-you gift to his teacher.
How Do You Use “Thank You”?
“Thank you” is a common minor sentence in English to quickly yet formally express appreciation. You can also find it within a long sentence describing why one is thankful.
“Thank you” is built with a verb (red) and a direct object (green). Notice that there is no subject as per proper English grammar rules. This is because the subject “I” is implied by context. It would be redundant to say, “I thank you,” to a friend while standing in the same room.
Since “Thank you” drops its subject (seemingly becoming incomplete), it is a minor sentence. Minor sentences express meaning without adhering to grammar rules. Further on in this article, we will more comprehensively discuss the use of minor sentences in the English language.
Is “Thank You” Enough?
The English language has many phrases to express gratitude; however, saying “Thank you” is the simplest way to ensure someone understands your heartfelt gratitude.
For example, a friend arrives at your house for dinner with a bottle of wine as a gift. Your response to the gift is commonly “Thank you.” In this scenario, the gift of wine serves as a “thank you” for the dinner invitation, and saying “Thank you” is the formal and customary response in return.
The same scenario could elicit a more extended response, including a “thank you.” The person receiving the bottle of wine could also say: “I am happy to see you, and thank you for the bottle of wine.” In both cases, “thank you” are the appropriate response to the gift.
Another use of “thank you” in this scenario includes a written note or letter the guest sends a day after the dinner. A written “Thank you” is a formal way to show appreciation for the dinner.
Many ask if they should capitalize the “y” when writing “Thank you.” The consensus of this rule is to capitalize the “y” when it is a salutation in a letter or email. It is unnecessary to capitalize the “y” of “Thank you” when it is in a standalone sentence or within a longer sentence.
When Can You Use “Thank You”?
Using “Thank you” to formally express gratitude and appreciation towards another person or group is rarely a mistake. Saying “Thank you” represents good manners necessary for good relationships (source).
The rules of saying “Thank you” on formal occasions are a popular method of displaying proper social etiquette. These situations usually include receiving a gift for a significant event:
- Weddings
- Graduations
- Bridal showers
- Baby showers
- Birthday parties
- Retirement parties
Informal situations that require a “thank you” are not as obvious. However, we tend to say “Thank you” when receiving a random act of kindness:
- A friend buys lunch
- Compliments on a haircut or new clothes
- Compliments on a job well done at work
- Compliments on seasonal decorations in your neighborhood
- A stranger lets you go ahead in the grocery line
- A neighbor shovels the snow from your walkway
- Holding the door open for another person
- Letting a person with fewer items in their cart go ahead in the grocery store
In What Context Can You Use “Thank You”?
Showing expressions of gratitude is a well-known global custom. English speakers use “Thank you” in both oral and written communication.
We have discussed how and when to use “Thank you” and have given situational examples to understand the correct contexts to use it in. This minor sentence of gratitude almost always comes in response to an act of kindness, a gift, a favor, or a compliment.
However, there is one exception to these situations: gratitude in advance. There are moments when one expresses appreciation in advance to ensure “Thank you” is said before a busy event ends.
An example of this usually occurs during a formal speech at a large gathering, such as a formal fundraiser or wedding. Most guests expect to give a gift during the event; however, the address comes before the donations or gifts are opened.
Regular expressions of anticipated appreciation are as follows:
- I would like to say thank you in advance to everyone in attendance.
- Thank you for being here and making our wedding day extra special.
- Everyone in our organization says thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Using “Thank You” In a Full Sentence
Saying or writing “Thank you” independently as a minor sentence derives its full meaning from the surrounding context. However, we also say or write “thank you” in longer sentences to describe the reason for expressing gratitude.
Below are examples of “thank you” in a longer sentence:
- I cannot thank you enough for helping me move to my new house.
- I want to thank you for your patience while waiting in line.
- Both of us thank you for the dinner invitation.
- Thank you for noticing my new haircut.
- Thank you for shopping with us today.
- We cannot thank you enough for attending our concert.
- I am sending thank-you cards to everyone who gave me a graduation present.
- It is important to say thank yous at the end of your speech.
When Not to Use “Thank You”
It is good practice not to use “Thank you” as a rude response to someone’s actions.
For instance, a person is ahead of you as you leave a store with your hands full and does not hold the door for you. The door quickly closes on you, and, in return, you shout, “Thank you!” in a negative tone.
In situations similar to the one described, one feels prompted to say, “Thank you very much,” in a negative tone. The extra emphasis points out that the person’s act of not holding the door was of no help.
Using “Thank you” sarcastically is the wrong use of this phrase and dilutes any sincere meaning of gratitude. There are few excellent responses to someone’s rude acts or comments, so it is better not to say anything at all.
Another improper use of “Thank you” is overuse. You shouldn’t repeatedly say “Thank you” for the same act because it requires someone to respond “You’re welcome” more than once. Excessive statements of gratitude diminish the act of kindness and will likely become annoying.
What Can You Use Instead of “Thank You”?
The English language provides many forms of gratitude besides a simple “Thank you” (source). You may opt for a casual “Thanks” toward a friend who shared an article link with you or a formal “I appreciate your time” toward a boss who agreed to meet with you last minute.
Here is a list of some formal and informal ways to show appreciation:
- I appreciate you.
- I am very grateful.
- Much obliged.
- Much appreciated.
- You are the best!
- You are too kind.
- How thoughtful of you!
- You made my day!
- I owe you one.
- Thanks.
- I will never forget this.
- Words cannot express my gratitude.
- You are one in a million!
- Thanks a bunch!
To learn more about saying “thank you” and using minor sentences correctly, you can check out these articles: Is It Correct to Say “Thank You So Much”? and Is It Correct to Say “Many Thanks”?
Open, Closed, and Hyphenated Compounds
Compound words have two or more words put together to make a new meaning. You can form compounds in three ways: open, closed, or hyphenated.
Understanding the rules of hyphenated compounds is necessary to use all three forms correctly (source). The hyphen joins multiple words acting as a singular unit to form compound adjectives that precede nouns. Giving a “thank-you note” is an example of this rule.
You may only hyphenate “thank you” when it functions as a multiple-word adjective for a noun following it.
- The children sent thank-you gifts to veterans in the community.
- The nurses received many thank-you cards from the patient’s family.
Another rule is to hyphenate words to avoid double vowels in a sentence or words that are written to spell out every letter.
Here are some examples in a table:
| FORM | COMPOUND WORD | USED IN A SENTENCE |
| OPEN | lawn mower | New home buyers often need to purchase a new lawn mower. |
| OPEN | hot dog | I love getting a hot dog at the ballpark. |
| CLOSED | bathroom | The public bathroom is located in the back of the store. |
| CLOSED | birthday | I am attending Joanne’s birthday party on Saturday. |
| HYPHENATED | high-tech | My grandparents cannot use the high-tech gadgets that everyone my age owns. |
| HYPHENATED | mother-in-law | I enjoy gardening with my mother-in-law. |
| HYPHENATED SPELLING | r-e-c-e-i-v-e | Some words are exceptions to the rule “i before e,” such as r-e-c-e-i-v-e. |
Minor Sentences
We often use minor sentences in English to present meaningful expressions without adhering to grammar rules (source).
As discussed, “Thank you” is an example of a minor sentence to communicate appreciation or gratitude. Other minor sentences consist of a single word, such as saying “Amen” to agree.
The quantity of words does not identify minor sentences. Instead, we recognize them by noting the “necessary grammar” that is not included yet implicit by context.
Here are more examples of minor sentences:
| TYPE | MINOR SENTENCE |
| ANSWER | Yes, indeed. |
| EXCLAMATION | Awesome! |
| GENERAL TRUTH | Like father, like son. |
| IMPERATIVE | Join us. |
| VERBLESS | Happy birthday. |
| GREETING | Good morning! |
This article was written for strategiesforparents.com.
Notice that none of the above makes sense outside of context. That is because minor sentences drop “important words” to avoid sounding redundant in context. Minor sentences derive most of their meaning from the situation.
Final Thoughts
The English language provides many opportunities to express oneself in a meaningful way without using a large number of words. Making an effort to say a sincere “Thank you” in response to kind acts, gifts, and compliments is appreciated. Saying “Thank you” is also essential to building good relationships because it is good manners.
Last Update: Jan 03, 2023
This is a question our experts keep getting from time to time. Now, we have got the complete detailed explanation and answer for everyone, who is interested!
Asked by: Desmond Douglas
Score: 4.9/5
(63 votes)
For the noun – the act of expressing thanks, use the one word “thankyou”. It is also to be used as an adjective to modify a noun – i.e. “a thankyou card”.
Which is correct thank you or thankyou?
Never hyphenate this word. It’s either Thank you or Thankyou. And most of the time, thank you is the correct choice. … Thank you is the most commonly used form of this word.
Is Thankyou 1 or 2 words?
Thank You as Two Words
As a verb phrase, ‘thank you’ is always two words. Or to put it another way, you should always use two words for the act of thanking someone: Thank you for walking my dog. We can also use this term as a noun (i.e. something given as thanks):
Is it thank you or thankyou UK?
Summary: Is Thank You One Word or Two? In British English, we almost always write ‘thank you’ as two words. This applies whether you use it as a verb phrase, a noun or an adjective. However, other versions are gaining acceptance.
How do you write thank you correctly?
As a verb phrase, always use two words (e.g., Thank you for your time). As a noun or an adjective, you can write it as two words, as a single word, or with a hyphen. However, some still consider writing it as a single word incorrect, so use two words in formal writing.
36 related questions found
What can I say instead of thanks?
Other ways to say thank you in any occasion
- I appreciate what you did.
- Thank you for thinking of me.
- Thank you for your time today.
- I value and respect your opinion.
- I am so thankful for what you did.
- I wanted to take the time to thank you.
- I really appreciate your help. Thank you.
- Your kind words warmed my heart.
How do you say thank you in unique way?
Other Ways to Say “Thank You So Much” and “Thank You Very Much” in Writing
- 1 Thank you for all your hard work on this. …
- 2 Thanks again, we couldn’t have pulled this off without you. …
- 3 Thank you, you’re amazing! …
- 4 I’m so thankful for everything you bring to the table. …
- 5 Thank you kindly.
- 6 Thanks a million. …
- 7 Many thanks.
How do you say thank you meaningfully?
General Thank-You Phrases
- Thank you so much.
- Thank you very much.
- I appreciate your consideration/guidance/help/time.
- I sincerely appreciate ….
- My sincere appreciation/gratitude/thanks.
- My thanks and appreciation.
- Please accept my deepest thanks.
Is thanks to all of you correct?
«Thanks, all of you» requires a pause to be correct. «Thanks» is actually a noun, but it is used as an abbreviation for «thank you.» It is not completely interchangeable with «thank you,» though. «Thanks to all of you,» however, is correct.
Is it alot or a lot?
First thing’s first: «alot» is not a word. If you want to say that someone has a vast number of things, you would say they have «a lot» of things. «A lot» is always two words. «Allot» means to give or apportion something to someone as a share or task.
How do you spell Aww or awe?
Summary
- Aw is an expression of mild but honest emotion, like pity, annoyance, or adulation.
- Awe is sometimes a noun that means amazement or wonder, and sometimes a verb that means to engender feelings of amazement or wonder.
- They are never interchangeable.
Is thank you a clause?
Commas if “thank you” is part of a clause
Sometimes the words “thank you” will appear in a clause but won’t actually be a usage of the phrase “thank you.” For instance, the word “thank” could actually be the main verb in the clause “I have to thank you for your help,” while the word “you” is the direct object.
Is thank you a sentence?
3 Answers. «Thank you» is a sentence with an implied «I» or «We», as in «(I) thank you.» «Thanks» is a shortened form of «thank you», but you can use it as if it has an implied «You have my» or «I offer my», as in «(You have my) thanks.»
Who called cousins?
the son or daughter of an uncle or aunt. See also second cousin, removed (def. 2). one related by descent in a diverging line from a known common ancestor, as from one’s grandparent or from one’s father’s or mother’s sister or brother.
Is fridge short for Frigidaire?
The OED describes “fridge” as a colloquial abbreviation for “refrigerator,” a much older term that showed up in the early 1600s. … The company adopted the name “Frigidaire” in 1919, three years after “frig” and “friges” were used in the brewery paper cited above.
How do you express thankfulness in words?
Common Words of Appreciation
- Thanks.
- Thank you.
- I am indebted to you.
- Dinner was delicious.
- I appreciate you.
- You are an inspiration.
- I am grateful.
- You are a blessing.
How do you express gratitude in writing?
With an intonation that’s thoughtful and deliberate, you can say:
- I cannot thank you enough.
- Words cannot express how much you mean to me.
- I am more grateful to you than you’ll ever know.
- I’m eternally grateful.
- You have my deepest thanks.
- I’ll never forget your support and kindness.
How do you express gratitude?
When expressing gratitude in an email, it’s important to let someone know why you are thankful. Highlighting the specific action or task someone completed and how it benefited you can help to clarify your gratitude and truly show someone that you noticed what they did and that you care.
How do you say I love you in a cute way?
Cute Ways to Say “I Love You”
- I’m crazy about you.
- You’re my dream come true.
- You take my breath away.
- Since you’ve been around I smile a lot more than I used to.
- There is no one I’d rather steal blankets from.
- You’re my partner in crime.
- You look great today and every day.
- I’m jealous of people who get to see you every day.
How do you say thanks in slang?
Ta is a slang term for thanks that can be traced back to the 18th Century. Much of the English language actually comes from the old Dutch and Jutland languages, and ta is believed to be a shortened form of the Dutch word tak, meaning thanks. Somewhere along the way the ‘k’ was dropped, and it became ta.
How do you say thank you without being awkward?
Express your gratitude.
Any time you receive a compliment, reply with “Thank you.” It’s a simple, but powerful phrase. The person bestowing the compliment will be most receptive to a humble response. Say something like, “Thank you, that’s very kind of you,” or “Thank you, I appreciate the compliment.”
How do you say thank you in a flirty way?
How do you say thank you flirty?
- You make me jump for joy.
- I’m beaming with appreciation for you.
- You make me feel so lucky.
- I wish I could be as thoughtful as you.
- You knew exactly what to get me.
- This is so heartfelt.
If you want to thank someone correctly, you’ll want to know how to write it. This article will teach you whether “thank you” is one or two words. We can also share when it’s hyphenated (even if it’s not a very common form to come across).
“Thank you” is almost always written as two words. We use it as a noun to show that we’re grateful for somebody or the actions that someone has done for us. We might use “thank-you,” but only when a noun comes directly after it (as the hyphen helps modify it).
According to Google Ngram Viewer, “thank you” is by far the most popular choice of the three. The large difference in popularity shows that the noun form is the one you’ll come across most.
In The Cambridge Dictionary and The Oxford Dictionary, only “thank you” has an entry worth mentioning. Both dictionaries mention that it’s a phrasal noun, which we use when we want to appreciate someone.
The Cambridge Dictionary also briefly mentions “thank-you” in some examples. It states that it’s common for this form to be used when it comes directly before another noun.
These examples will explain when the hyphenated form might be appropriate:
- Noun: I was going to say thank you, but I don’t think I will now.
- Adjective: That was a weak thank-you note, but at least you tried.
Is “Thankyou” One Word?
“Thankyou” is never correct as one word. When writing it, it’s important to make sure we keep “thank” and “you” separate. We use it in this form because they are two completely different words (a verb and a pronoun combination). The one-word option is incorrect.
Here are some examples to show you that it doesn’t work:
- Correct: I’m not going to say thank you to him. I don’t like him enough.
- Incorrect: It’s just a simple thankyou message. Why can’t you just go up there and say it?
- Correct: I was going to say thank you, but now I don’t think I will.
- Incorrect: Will you just say thankyou, please? I feel like I deserve that.
Is “Thank you” Two Words?
“Thank you” should always be written as two words. This is the only grammatically acceptable form, so you should make sure you stick to it when you’re using it as a noun. It should be two words to help us distinguish the clear meaning.
If you’re struggling, here are some examples:
- I wanted to say thank you for all the kind things you did for me in my time of need.
- That’s the best thank you that you’ve ever given to someone, I have to say!
- Thank you! I didn’t think anyone was going to help me with this.
- Don’t say thank you! It’s the least I could do to help out.
Is “Thank-you” Hyphenated?
“Thank-you” is hyphenated whenever a noun comes directly after it. This only applies if “thank-you” modifies the noun in question. AP Style rules teach us that we can create compound adjectives with hyphens when both words modify a noun.
As long as you remember the AP Stylebook rules, you’ll have an easy time remembering “thank-you.” We use the hyphen when “thank-you” comes directly before a noun because it helps us to establish modification in the correct way.
Here are a few examples to give you a better clue:
- I just want to send them a quick thank-you message to let them know that we’re grateful.
- This is a thank-you note for the gift I got them at their wedding.
- I need to write a thank-you email to my boss for letting me get so much time off.
- It’s not a thank-you note, but it’s the closest thing you will get to one from him!
Is “You” Capitalized In The Word “Thank-You”?
Let’s quickly finish up by looking into capitalization rules with hyphenated forms. Though you won’t use “thank-you” often, you might still need to learn about this.
You do not need to capitalize “you” when “thank-you” is written at the start of a sentence. The only time you might capitalize it is if you include it in a title and want both parts of the hyphen form to fit in with the rest of the capitalized words.
Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here.
Thank You as Two Words As a verb phrase, “thank you” is always two words. Or to put it another way, you should always use two words for the act of thanking someone: Thank you for walking my dog. We can also use this term as a noun (i.e., something given as thanks):
Do you need a hyphen in thank you?
Remember that “thank-you” takes a hyphen when it’s modifying a noun, like “notes” in “thank-you notes”; and it takes a hyphen when it’s a singular or plural noun, as in “I hope you don’t have too many thank-yous left to write.”
Is there a gap in Thankyou?
Thankyou, without the space, is either an adjective or a noun. Here, it’s an adjective: ‘I sent a thankyou note to my employer for giving me the job.
Why does thank you have a hyphen?
When ‘thank you’ is used as an adjective before a noun, it must be hyphenated. We do this to show that the adjective acts as a single idea. For example: – Holly likes to send thank-you cards for presents she receives.
Is Thank you one word UK?
In British English, we almost always write ‘thank you’ as two words. As a verb phrase, always use two words (e.g. Thank you for your time). As a noun or an adjective, you can write it as two words, as a single word, or with a hyphen.
Is it thank you’s or thank yous?
the expresion comes from a verbal form, so the noun has to be hyphenated. So, it is one “thank-you” or several “thank-you’s” (because of the compound form). but, in everyday use, “thank yous” is also correct. and please note that hyphens are also omitted in everyday use so it might become “thank you’s”.
How do you write grammatically correct thank you?
If you are telling someone “thank you” directly, you always need a comma after “thank you.” This is the most common way of using the phrase, so in most cases you will want that comma. You should also put a comma or a period after “thank you” if it’s the last part of a letter or email before your name or signature.
Is a comma needed after thank you?
Is there a word thanks?
1 : gratitude Please express my thanks to her. 2 : an expression of gratitude (as for something received) We said thanks before eating.