How To Show Gratitude in an Email (With Tips and Examples)

When writing an email to a coworker, supervisor or client, it can be important to show appreciation for them or their work. Whether the entire email is dedicated to thanking them or it's merely mentioned at the end, it is important to express your gratitude and respect for those who've helped you.

In this article, we discuss what an expression of gratitude is and why it's important and list ways you can express gratitude in an email with examples.

What is an expression of gratitude?

An expression of gratitude is a way to say thank you or show appreciation towards someone or their actions. You can give an expression of gratitude verbally or through a written source like a thank you letter or email.

Related: How To Write a Thank You Email

Why is it important to express gratitude?

There are a few reasons that expressing gratitude can be important, including:

Showing appreciation

When you express gratitude, you are showing someone appreciation for what they did. Not only is this polite, but it can also help an individual feel validated in their actions and might make them more likely to continue performing those actions in the future.

Building professional relationships

Expressing gratitude toward a colleague, manager or client can help you build professional relationships which can benefit you and your career in the future. A strong professional relationship with a client might boost their willingness to buy your services, and a professional relationship with a manager might make you more noticeable for potential promotions.

Related: Complete Guide To Building Relationships at Work

Demonstrating humility and good manners

When you express gratitude, you are also demonstrating your strong manners and humility, which can help you in your professional career. If you thank a potential employer for a job interview or thank a potential client for their time, you might increase your chances of getting hired or securing the client's business.

Tips to help you express gratitude in emails

Here are five tips for expressing gratitude in your emails:

1. Use varying vocabulary

When expressing gratitude, it can be good to use words other than "thank you." Instead, consider using phrases like:

• "I really appreciate what you did."

• "I am very grateful for it."

• "I was really pleased to have your help."

Using a different vocabulary can not only change your email's tone of voice depending on the situation, but it can also help you say thank you multiple times throughout an email while using different words.

Related: 10 Easy Ways To Improve Your Vocabulary Skills

2. Consider your tone

Sometimes saying "thank you" in its simplest form can be best. When expressing gratitude through an email, it's also fine to use the simplest phrases such as "Thank you!" or even the more informal "Thanks!" Simple phrases can help you say exactly how you feel in the shortest amount of time. If your email has a more casual tone, using "thank you" is more appropriate, while words like "appreciation" and "gratitude" are best for more formal communication.

3. Be impactful

If you're writing to show gratitude and you don't think that "thank you" is impactful enough, try showing a stronger appreciation through meaningful word choice that explains how and why you are grateful. In a situation that requires incredibly sincere appreciation, consider using phrases like:

• "I will never forget how you helped me."

• "You have my sincerest thanks."

• "I'm having trouble finding the words to say thank you."

• "You will never know how much this means to me."

Using more meaningful words can help give a greater impact on the person you're writing to and show them just how grateful you are for them and their actions.

4. Add personality

In some informal interactions, it can be helpful to add a little personality to your gratitude. By using exaggerated phrases, like "You're the best!" or "You saved my life today!" you can have some fun emailing your friends or colleagues while still sincerely expressing your gratitude.

5. Be specific

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.

For example, consider some of these specific responses:

• "Thank you for your help yesterday with that report!"

• "I appreciated your time helping me finish that presentation."

• "Thanks for helping me move yesterday, I really appreciate it."

Examples of expressing gratitude in emails

Here are some specific situations where you might want to express gratitude in emails and examples of how to do so:

General or informal situations

General expressions of gratitude can occur in more informal settings between coworkers and friends. You can add these appreciations in an email to address something specific that you're thankful for, or you can add them at the end of an email thanking them for their time or future response:

• "Thanks so much!"

• "Thank you!"

• "I really appreciated your help!"

• "I appreciate your time!"

Related: 120 Coworker Appreciation Messages

Professional situations

Professional expressions of gratitude can be used to express your thanks for situations such as thanking a potential client for their time, thanking a coworker for helping with a business-related task or thanking someone for a helpful reference. When writing a professional expression of gratitude, be specific so your recipient understands what they're being thanked for.

Some examples of professional expressions of gratitude include:

• "I appreciated your time this afternoon and look forward to talking with you again."

• "Thank you for referring me to Barry Davis. He just signed on as a client."

• "Thanks for sending me the draft of that memo. It looks great!"

Personal situations

Personal expressions of gratitude are often used when someone's actions were impactful on your life. If someone helped you or someone you know in a time of need, it can be important to sincerely thank them for their assistance. When writing a personal expression of gratitude, it can be helpful to use meaningful words and be specific if you can.

Some examples of personal expressions of gratitude include:

• "I am so thankful for your support."

• "I couldn't have done it without you."

• "I am very appreciative of your help."

• "Thank you for everything you've done for me."

Expressing gratitude for consideration

When sending in a job application or making a formal request at your place of work, it can be helpful to show appreciation for that person's consideration. Expressing your gratitude towards someone for taking the time to look over your resume or request can help them feel recognized and possibly increase your chances of being selected or having your request fulfilled.

Here are some examples:

• "Thank you for your consideration."

• "I appreciate you taking the time to consider my application."

• "Thank you for considering my request."

Related: 100 Ways to Thank Someone For Their Time

Expressing gratitude for an interview

It can be just as important to send a thank you to someone after an interview as it is to send one with your application. Expressing gratitude towards a company or business after an interview can show them your passion for the position and possibly help you become more noticeable in the application process.

Some examples of showing gratitude after an interview include:

• "Thank you for speaking with me about the electrical engineering position at Hodgens Engineering."

• "I appreciate having the opportunity to speak with you today."

• "Thank you for taking the time to interview me yesterday for the copywriting position."

Related: How To Write the Best Thank You Email After Your Interview