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Back to Speak English With Vanessa

Social & Small Talk

How to say Thanks: Back to English Basics Series

Learn how to choose a natural thank-you—from a quick “Thanks” to stronger expressions for a major favor.

Read the full lesson summary

Vanessa reviews four common ways to express gratitude and explains how to match the strength and formality of the thank-you to the size of the favor. The lesson is part of her Back to Basics series and is aimed at learners who may know the words but want to choose the right expression in everyday situations.

“Thank you” is the basic, widely used expression. “Thank you so much” adds warmth and emphasis. Vanessa stresses that these are not merely textbook phrases; people use them regularly in real interactions. “Thanks” is a more casual alternative.

For a major favor—her example is a friend spending all Saturday helping someone move—a short “Thanks” may not communicate enough. She suggests “Thanks a ton,” “Thanks so much,” or “Thanks a million.” These expressions sound emphatic and conversational. For a small courtesy, such as someone holding a door or handing over an item at a store, a simple “Thanks” is usually proportionate.

She also teaches “Appreciate it,” a reduced version of “I appreciate it.” Speakers may drop the initial “I” and say the phrase quickly. It is casual and works well for a small favor, such as helping pick up dropped groceries. Vanessa advises against using it for a major task because it may sound too light; a fuller thank-you is better in that situation. In writing or a more formal context, “I appreciate your help” is a complete alternative.

The key point is to scale the response to the favor: use a quick “Thanks” for a small courtesy, a casual “Appreciate it” for informal minor help, and a fuller or stronger expression for substantial assistance. The lesson ends with a request to practise the expressions in a comment. Learners can apply the same principle at work, in shops, and with friends, choosing language that sounds grateful without feeling exaggerated or underpowered.

S2.1
Speak English With VanessaAmerican English04:18

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Transcript

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Select an expression for its meaning · 0:12

Vanessa introduces the Back to Basics series and its downloadable expression guide

Vanessa introduces the third video in her series. She wants to review familiar English expressions and explain which situations suit them. The free PDF guide includes the expressions and sample dialogues; viewers can download it from the description. “Back to basics” means returning to fundamental ideas or skills.

Try it: In your own words, explain what it means to go back to basics.

Phrase cheat sheet

All phrases at a glance

Review each expression, hear it, save it, or jump to where it appears in the video.

15 phrases

Showing 15 of 15 phrases

back to basics

Vanessa introduces the Back to Basics series and its downloadable expression guide · expression

A return to the fundamental ideas or skills of a subject.

Tone and use: Friendly and instructional. Use it when reviewing foundational material or simplifying an approach.

May not fit: It is an idiom-like slogan; explain it to a beginner if needed.

Example“Before the advanced unit, we went back to basics.”

which situations are best for

Vanessa introduces the Back to Basics series and its downloadable expression guide · expression

Which contexts are most suitable for a particular choice.

Tone and use: Practical and explanatory. Use it to compare when different expressions or actions fit.

May not fit: Complete the pattern with a choice or action after “for.”

Example“Let’s discuss which situations are best for each greeting.”

feel free to

Vanessa introduces the Back to Basics series and its downloadable expression guide · expression

You are welcome to do something if you want to.

Tone and use: Friendly invitation. Use feel free to + base verb to offer permission or invite an optional action.

May not fit: It may sound misleading if the action is actually required.

Example“Feel free to download the worksheet after class.”

show your appreciation

She explains the everyday expression “thank you” and introduces “thanks” · expression

Express that you are grateful for someone’s help or kindness.

Tone and use: Neutral and sincere. Use show appreciation for + a person or action.

May not fit: Appreciation can also mean recognizing value, but here it means gratitude.

Example“She called to show her appreciation for the recommendation.”

thank you so much

She explains the everyday expression “thank you” and introduces “thanks” · expression

A warm and emphatic way to express gratitude.

Tone and use: Sincere and friendly. Use it when you want to sound more appreciative than a simple “thank you.”

May not fit: For a small routine interaction, the extra emphasis may be unnecessary.

Example“Thank you so much for explaining the instructions.”

textbook expression

She explains the everyday expression “thank you” and introduces “thanks” · expression

A phrase presented in a textbook, sometimes contrasted with everyday use.

Tone and use: Neutral, sometimes mildly critical. Use it to discuss language that learners encounter in study materials.

May not fit: It does not mean every textbook phrase is unnatural.

Example“That greeting is a common textbook expression, but people also use it at work.”

big task

She recommends stronger thanks for a major favor and simple thanks for a small one · expression

An activity or job that requires substantial effort.

Tone and use: Neutral and descriptive. Use it for work that takes significant time or effort.

May not fit: Do not call a small routine action a big task unless it truly feels substantial.

Example“Organizing the event was a big task.”

thanks a ton

She recommends stronger thanks for a major favor and simple thanks for a small one · expression

A very emphatic way to say thank you.

Tone and use: Warm and informal. Use it to express strong gratitude for a meaningful favor.

May not fit: It is casual; in formal writing, use “Thank you very much.”

Example“Thanks a ton for helping me move this weekend.”

thanks a million

She recommends stronger thanks for a major favor and simple thanks for a small one · expression

An emphatic way to express a great deal of gratitude.

Tone and use: Warm and conversational. Use it when you want to thank someone enthusiastically.

May not fit: It is not a literal reference to money or a count.

Example“Thanks a million for staying late to help.”

appreciate it

She explains “appreciate it” as quick, casual thanks for a small favor · expression

A shortened, casual way to say “I appreciate it” and express thanks.

Tone and use: Quick and informal. Use it as a brief thank-you for a small favor.

May not fit: Because it is reduced and casual, avoid it for a major favor or formal written message.

Example“Appreciate it—thanks for holding the elevator.”

holding the door

She explains “appreciate it” as quick, casual thanks for a small favor · expression

Keep a door open so another person can pass through.

Tone and use: Everyday and conversational. Use it for a small courtesy involving a door.

May not fit: “Hold the door for someone” is the full common pattern.

Example“Could you hold the door while I carry these boxes?”

not too big

She explains “appreciate it” as quick, casual thanks for a small favor · expression

Relatively small or not very significant.

Tone and use: Casual and reassuring. Use it to describe a minor favor or issue.

May not fit: It may minimize a concern if said to someone who feels differently.

Example“It was not too big a favor, but I still appreciated it.”

your turn

Vanessa asks viewers to practise the thank-you expressions and says goodbye · expression

It is now your opportunity to speak or act.

Tone and use: Encouraging and conversational. Use it when handing an activity or opportunity to another person.

May not fit: It can sound impatient if said sharply.

Example“Now it’s your turn to choose an expression.”

in the comments below

Vanessa asks viewers to practise the thank-you expressions and says goodbye · expression

In the online comment area underneath a video or post.

Tone and use: Friendly online direction. Use it to invite viewers to respond under online content.

May not fit: It is specific to websites and apps, not an in-person conversation.

Example“Share your answer in the comments below.”

looking forward to

Vanessa asks viewers to practise the thank-you expressions and says goodbye · expression

Feeling pleased or excited about something expected in the future.

Tone and use: Positive and common. Use look forward to + a noun or -ing form.

May not fit: The to is a preposition here, so follow it with a noun or -ing verb.

Example“I’m looking forward to hearing your ideas.”

Knowledge check

Practice the phrases you heard

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Use it in a sentence · “thank you so much”

Someone gives you a useful free guide. Which response expresses clear gratitude?