thank

To tell someone you are pleased and grateful for what they have done.

• Thank you for your help.
• She thanked her neighbor for the flowers.
• Have you thanked everyone who helped?

How to use it: thank someone for something (He thanked me for my advice.); thank someone for doing something (We thanked her for driving us home.)

Similar words: express gratitude to

Common phrases: thank you, thank someone for something, thank someone warmly

To say someone or something caused a result, often a bad one.

• We can thank the traffic for our late arrival.
• You have your own carelessness to thank for this mess.
• We can thank the new rules for these delays.

How to use it: have someone/something to thank for something (We have the storm to thank for the power cut.)

Similar words: blame, credit

Common phrases: thank someone for something, thank something for something

Used with “will” to tell someone firmly to do something or stop doing something.

• I will thank you to leave immediately.
• I will thank you not to interrupt me.
• I will thank you to keep your voice down.

How to use it: will thank someone to do something (I will thank you to mind your own business.)

Common phrases: thank you to, thank you not