PRACTICE YOUR ENGLISH

Thank you is more formal than Thanks.

Thank you for/ thanks for can be followed by an –ing form.

    * Thank you for coming.
    * Thanks for everything.

We often use Thank you/Thanks to accept offers.

    * ‘Would you like some coffee?’ ‘Thank you.’

To refuse an offer, you can say No thank you/ No thanks.

    * ‘Another cake?’ ‘No, thanks. I have eaten too many already.’

Replies to Thanks

British people, do not usually answer when they are thanked for small things.If a reply is a necessary, we can say Not at all (formal), You are welcome, Don’t mention it, That’s quite all right or That’s OK (informal).

    * ‘Here is your coat.’ ‘Thanks.’ (no answer)
    * ‘Thanks so much for looking after the children.’ ‘That’s all right.’ (answer necessary)

Saying Please :
We use please to make a request more polite.

• Would you move a bit, please?
• Could you open the window, please?
• Would you like some help?’ ‘Yes, please.’

Please do is a rather formal answer to a request for permission.

• ‘Do you mind if I open the window?’ ‘Please do.’

Situations where please is not used

We do not use please to ask people what they have said.

•  ‘I have got a bit of a headache.’ ‘I beg your pardon?’ (NOT … Please?)

•  ‘John is on the phone.’ ‘Sorry?’ (NOT …Please?)

Please is not used as an answer to Thank you.

    * ‘Thanks a lot.’ ‘That’s OK.’ (NOT … ‘Please.’)