You often use a simple “Thank You” to express your gratitude. But it is not the only way you can show your gratitude towards others.
Given the situation, you can also use “Thank you both” to express your gratitude with more politeness. However, it is important to know how to use it properly.
Most people confuse the two phrases — “Thank you both” and “Thanks to both of you”.
Although both are polite ways to display your gratitude, misusing them can change the entire context of your sentiment.
Back when I was in school and learning English as a non-native speaker, I often misused them. But then I learnt and understood the contextuality and tone of them.
So, now, I don’t really make such mistakes anymore. And, just like me, when you use them in the right situations, you will be able to convey your gratitude with more politeness.
If you are also wondering which one is correct, I have got you covered. In this article, I will guide you through the grammatical usage of both the phrases.
Stay tuned!
What Is The Meaning Of “Thank You Both”?
Before using the phrase, I think you should have a clear understanding of its meaning, context, and usage. This will help you to use it properly in a sentence.
What Is The Definition Of “Thank You Both”?
The phrase “Thank you” can be used either as a noun, an adjective, or even as an exclamation. Depending on the situation, you can use it in different ways.
According to the Collins Dictionary:
- Exclamation: Thank you can be used to show appreciation for others’ kindness towards you. So, you can use it as an exclamation.
- Noun: As a noun, Thank you can be used in a form of expression to show gratitude towards others.
- Adjective: Additionally, Thank you can be used as an adjective to describe something as an expression of appreciation.
The word “Both” is generally used to refer to the inclusion of two individuals or things in a given context.
So, when it is put next to “Thank you”, it changes the predominant meaning.
Now, “Thank you both” refers to expressing gratitude or appreciation towards two individuals. So, you can use it to show your appreciation for two people.
How To Use “Thank You Both” Grammatically In A Sentence?
I know, it can be difficult to understand the meaning. So, here are some examples. These show how you can use “Thank you both” in a sentence, in the right way.
- I want to thank you both for your constant support.
- Yesterday, he didn’t get a chance to thank you both for your contributions.
- Will she thank you both for your birthday present?
- Your encouragement and mentorship have been invaluable in my life. Thank you both.
- Thank you both for having faith in me.
“Thank You Both” vs “Thanks To Both Of You”
The two phrases “Thank you both” and “Thanks to both of you” can be confusing. Also, people often misuse them without understanding the context.
So, to avoid it, I have made this detailed difference between them to help you understand.
1. Definition
By definition, both the phrases are slightly different. Even though they both refer to showing gratitude, one can be used in different ways from the other.
- Thank you both: You use it to show your gratitude towards two individuals’ efforts or actions. Moreover, you can use it differently as a noun, an adjective, or an exclamation.
- Thanks to both of you: You can use it to specifically show gratitude to two individuals for their actions or kindness. It is an idiom, so you cannot use it differently.
2. Pronunciation
Apart from their definition, the phrases differ in their pronunciation, too. So, you should know the correct pronunciation to use them properly.
- Thank you both: You can pronounce this phrase as: thank yü bōth
- Thanks to both of you: This idiom is pronounced as: than(k)s tü bōth uv yü
3. Usage
Now, I will tell you “how” and “where” they are used specifically. This will give a better idea about their usage in the English language and help you not to get confused.
- Thank you both: This phrase is generally used when you are directly talking or addressing two individuals to express your appreciation.
- Thanks to both of you: You can use this idiom to express your gratitude for two individuals’ efforts or actions in front of an audience.
Which Is Correct: “Thank You Both” Or “Thanks To Both Of You”?
As both phrases refer to the action of expressing your appreciation or gratitude, they can be used interchangeably. So, both are correct.
However, maybe for some specific situations, you might have to use one over the other. Or, either one of these is better suited.
When To Use “Thank You Both” And “Thanks To Both Of You?
If you are still confused about when to use the phrases, you can refer to the context, formality, and tone of the situation.
Based on these, you can use the one that perfectly suits the conditions.
1. Formality Or Context:
Firstly, if the situation or the context is formal, you should avoid using “Thank you both” and opt for “Thanks to both of you”.
Since “Thank you both” is used for a more casual situation, it won’t be appropriate to use it in a formal setting. So, use it for informal situations.
And, use the phrase “Thanks to both of you” in a professional setup to sound more formal and composed.
2. Situational Usage:
Based on the situation, you need to choose between the two phrases. If you want to appreciate the contribution or kindness of two individuals in an informal setting, you can use “Thank you both”.
However, if you want to specifically appreciate the actions of two individuals in a formal setting, you should use “Thanks to both of you”.
So, for instance, when you want to thank two of your teammates for their work, you use the phrase “Thank you both”.
Similarly, when you want to thank two specific persons in your class during the presentation, you use the phrase “Thanks to both of you”.
3. Tone Consideration:
Finally, you can change between the two phrases based on the tone you want to convey.
For instance, if you want to be generic while expressing your appreciation, you can use “Thank you both”. So, it is perfect for everyday use.
However, if you want to specify and particularly recognize their contribution, you can use “Thanks to both of you”. So, it helps you convey a more formal and professional tone.
Even though both the phrases help you to express your gratitude, you should use them discreetly.
You should know exactly when and how to use “Thank you both” and “Thanks to both of you” to communicate better.
And, just like how I learnt it, you too can convey your heartfelt appreciation for others’ kindness with the correct usage.
LEARN MORE:
- Practice Or Practise: Are Both Spellings Correct?
- Totaled Or Totalled: What Is The Big Difference?
- Totaled Or Totalled: What Is The Big Difference?
