Do you want to be able to say thank you to a colleague and express your gratitude in a way that will build the connection with the person?
Today we’ll show you all of the right words and phrases to use.
Here is our listener question from today:
Hi! I am a big fan of you!
I have a question about the word ‘trouble’.
I wanted to use “Thank you for your trouble.” when I really thanks for someone’s work. But, I am afraid to use the phrase. I just worry if a native speaker misunderstand about the word ‘trouble’. I know the ‘trouble’ has various definition, and the word in the context is not a real trouble(negative). Will it be ok to use it?
And could you recommend another phrase to thank for somebody?
-Moon Oh
What is the context?
Good question!
We need to know a little bit more context.
Are you at work thanking a colleague for completing a project?
Are you thanking a neighbor for doing you a favor?
Let’s assume we’re at work thanking a colleague, but the colleague has gone beyond what she was expected to do to help you.
Maybe she stayed late at work until 2 am to help you prepare for a presentation when she didn’t have to.
Phrases to use:
When you say, “thank you for your trouble” it’s clear that this is not using the word “trouble” in the negative sense.
You mean “thank you for going to so much trouble.”
This would be fine to say to a colleague.
Other ways to say it:
- “Thank you for going to so much trouble.”
- “Thank you for going out of your way to help me with this.”
- “I don’t know how to thank you for helping me with this.”
- “I just want to say how grateful I am that you _____.”
- “I so appreciate your help.”- This is casual but could also be used to speak with a colleague.
- “You’re a lifesaver. Thank you”
What questions do you have about today’s episode?
Let us know in the comments below.
Thanks for listening to this episode!
