10 phrases to use if you want to display genuine gratitude

Phrases to use if you want to display genuine gratitude

Saying thank you may seem like a simple gesture but it goes a long way.

However, because it’s such a simple gesture, some may do it without truly meaning it. It becomes almost instinctive.

People may also show their gratitude in different intensities as well, especially when someone goes above and beyond to help.

Perhaps you may not know what to say when you’re in this situation and are looking for ways to say the right thing.

Here are some phrases you can consider the next time you’re on the receiving end of a kind gesture.

1) “I appreciate you.”

After expressing your gratitude, tell them how much you appreciate them for what they did.

This goes beyond addressing their actions as it acknowledges the impact their actions had on your life.

It makes them feel seen and gives them the assurance that they are valued in the community they’re a part of – family, friends, or acquaintances.

2) “I can’t thank you enough.”

This expresses the depth of your gratitude.

Perhaps what the other person had done was particularly significant, or even, life-changing. They guided you through a tough period, or helped remove a challenging situation you would otherwise have to go through.

Therefore, going beyond a simple ‘thank you’ will show the person how your life has changed for the better because of them.

No amount of ‘thank you’s in your lifetime can fully express how grateful you are for them.

3) “I owe you one.”

When you use this – make sure you remember it!

It’s common nowadays for people to toss this phrase out without much care because, to them, it’s just an expression of gratitude.

But when you tell people you’re grateful for their help and because of the inconvenience they had to go through, you’ll do the same in the future, be sure to do the same when the time comes.

Of course, it’s much easier to say this, than actually do it. This phrase assures them that you’ll be by their side when their going gets tough.

So, be sure to follow up on what you promised! 

4) “This means a lot to me.”

Maybe you think the other person isn’t interested in your reactions or responses to what they did.

But I’d like to point out that expressing your gratitude will definitely make someone’s day.

By showing how much their actions impacted you, they’ll realize just how much their help meant to you, in helping you overcome a challenging ordeal.

Perhaps they will also be encouraged to render the same kind of help to others.

While I’m not saying that people do good deeds for recognition, affirming people’s actions shows that their kindness will be remembered.

5) “I’m so lucky to have you as my ___.”

Make this phrase specific to different groups of people for added meaning e.g. I’m so lucky to have you as my ___ (dad, mom, daughter, wife, niece, partner). 

If you think that the people who are closest to you don’t require you to express your gratitude, since they should already know this or that it’s an unspoken thing between us, we do things for one another just because, I’m here to tell you that this shouldn’t be the case.

Regardless of whether you’ve known someone for a minute or your entire life, expressing gratitude plays a pivotal role in affirming people’s actions.

It reinforces positive interactions and in the long run, strengthens the overall relationship between both parties.

If this is just someone you’ve met for a few minutes, you can just say ‘I’m so lucky to have known you/crossed paths with you.’ 

It’ll make a world of difference to their day!

6) “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

If someone did something that really meant a lot to you, this phrase would also help communicate your sincerity and the extent of your gratitude.

To me, this may be reserved for those who have done something that you will never be able to repay.

7) “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

With this, you acknowledge your limitations and the help that was rendered to plug the gap. Without help, you wouldn’t have been able to achieve what you wanted to.

And telling the person this would show how much you needed their assistance during that ordeal.

8) “You’re a true friend.”

If you end your sentence with this, it shows how much you value that person’s friendship. 

And true friends are hard to find. These friends stick by you when the going gets tough, regardless of how busy or messy life gets.

By telling them this, you’re letting them know that they’re an integral part of your life.

9) “Thank you for being so ___ (thoughtful/generous/loving).”

It’s also good to mention the positive qualities of the other person.

Perhaps they were patient with you when you were being difficult or they gave generously of their resources when you were in dire need – identifying the quality and affirming it helps to show your genuine gratitude.

Sometimes, it can be as simple as thanking the other person for being there for you, especially those who have remained by your side for a long time. This reflects how much they truly care.

It’s easy to forget that they’re there because we may take their presence for granted, so expressing gratitude towards these people now and then helps us remember their kindness. 

10) “You’ve made my day/week/month.”

This phrase can also help express the depth of your gratitude. Of course, the longer the time period, the greater the extent of someone’s gratitude. 

To the other party, what they did may seem small, but to you, it means a lot.

Therefore, expressing your gratitude genuinely will show that every little act of kindness matters. It may not matter to them, but it will definitely matter more to the other party. 

Conclusion

While expressing our gratitude shows how much we value the other party, it also reminds us that acts of kindness shouldn’t be taken for granted. This goes for the simplest of gestures to life-changing sacrifices. 

By doing so, we remain humble and grateful for the people we’ve met and the experiences we’ve had. 

When we look at how far we’ve come, we’re reminded of the people who’ve guided and supported us throughout our journey

The next step then, is to pass the act of kindness on to another person.