I would like to thank you for
Presentation and public speaking expression
Littéralement: I (subject) would like (polite desire) to thank (express gratitude to) you (recipient) for (reason).
En 15 secondes
- A polite, formal way to express gratitude in professional settings.
- Followed by a noun or a verb ending in '-ing'.
- Adds weight and sincerity to your 'thank you'.
- Perfect for speeches, emails, and LinkedIn posts.
Signification
C'est une façon polie et professionnelle d'exprimer sa gratitude, généralement utilisée dans des contextes formels ou lorsque l'on souhaite témoigner d'un respect particulier. Elle transforme un simple 'merci' en une reconnaissance plus significative des efforts de quelqu'un.
Exemples clés
3 sur 10Ending a work presentation
I would like to thank you for your attention today.
I would like to thank you for your attention today.
Texting a close friend after they helped with a crisis
I would like to thank you for being such a great friend during this mess.
I would like to thank you for being such a great friend during this mess.
LinkedIn post about a new job
I would like to thank you for the opportunity to grow with this team.
I would like to thank you for the opportunity to grow with this team.
Contexte culturel
In American business culture, this phrase is often used to 'bookend' a meeting. It is said at the very beginning to establish rapport and at the very end to show professional appreciation. The British often use this phrase to maintain 'social distance.' It allows them to be extremely polite without becoming too personal or 'informal' too quickly. While Japanese has its own complex honorifics, when Japanese professionals speak English, they heavily favor this phrase because it maps well to the level of respect found in 'Keigo.' Australians are generally more informal, but in government or academic settings, this phrase is strictly used to show that the speaker is taking the occasion seriously.
The 'Gerund' Rule
If you use a verb after 'for,' always add -ing. 'I would like to thank you for *joining* us' (not join).
Don't Overuse
If you say this for every small thing, you will sound like a robot. Save it for things that actually matter.
En 15 secondes
- A polite, formal way to express gratitude in professional settings.
- Followed by a noun or a verb ending in '-ing'.
- Adds weight and sincerity to your 'thank you'.
- Perfect for speeches, emails, and LinkedIn posts.
What It Means
You’re standing at a podium, the microphone is humming, and everyone is waiting for you to say something profound. Or maybe you're sitting at your laptop, staring at a blank email to a CEO you've never met. This is where I would like to thank you for saves the day. It’s a phrase that acts like a bridge between 'regular you' and 'professional you.'
What It Means
At its core, this phrase is simply a longer, more elegant way to say 'thank you.' But in English, length often equals politeness. By using would like to, you are softening your request or statement. It signals that you are taking a moment to formally acknowledge someone’s effort. It’s not just a reflex; it’s an intentional act of recognition. You aren't just throwing a 'thanks' over your shoulder as you walk away. You are stopping, looking someone in the eye (metaphorically), and giving them their due credit. It feels steady, respectful, and very 'adult.'
How To Use It
The grammar here is quite specific but easy once you get the hang of it. You always follow for with either a noun or a verb ending in -ing. For example, you can say I would like to thank you for the gift (noun) or I would like to thank you for helping me (verb-ing). If you forget that -ing, the sentence will sound a bit like a broken robot. Also, you can contract I would to I'd to make it slightly less stiff. I'd like to thank you for... is perfect for a friendly but professional email. Just don't use it to thank your cat for not eating your plants; your cat won't appreciate the formality, and your neighbors might worry.
Formality & Register
This phrase lives in the 'Formal' and 'Professional' neighborhoods. It’s what you use in a LinkedIn post when you're leaving a job, or in a speech at a wedding. You’ll hear it on award shows like the Oscars (though usually they just start crying and forget the grammar). It is significantly more formal than 'Thanks for...' and a step above 'I appreciate...'. It’s safe for any business setting. However, using it with your best friend after they hand you a slice of pizza might make them think you’re about to deliver a PowerPoint presentation on friendship. Use it when the 'vibe' requires a bit of dignity.
Real-Life Examples
Imagine you just finished a big project at work. You might send an email saying, I would like to thank you for your incredible support during this launch. It shows you recognize their hard work. On social media, you might see a YouTuber say, I would like to thank you for all the comments on my last video. It makes the creator sound humble and appreciative of their community. You’ll even see it in automated customer service emails: I would like to thank you for your patience while we investigate this. It’s the universal language of 'we know we took a while, please don't be mad.'
When To Use It
Use this phrase when the stakes are high or the favor was big. If someone helped you move houses (the ultimate test of friendship), they deserve an I would like to thank you for. If you are finishing a presentation, use it to thank the audience for their time. It’s also the perfect way to start a 'Thank You' note after a job interview. It sets a tone of high emotional intelligence. It tells the other person, 'I respect your time and I value what you did for me.' It's basically the verbal equivalent of a firm, warm handshake.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this in high-speed, casual situations. If an Uber driver drops you off, a quick 'Thanks so much!' is better. If you use I would like to thank you for the ride as you hop out, it sounds like you’re giving a speech to a crowd of one. Similarly, don't use it in quick texts. 'Thx for the link' is fine for WhatsApp; I would like to thank you for the URL is just weird. Also, avoid it if you're actually angry. Saying I would like to thank you for ruining my day is high-level sarcasm that might actually start a fight. Unless that's what you want, keep it for the good stuff!
Common Mistakes
The most common trip-up is the 'verb form' after for. People often say ✗ I would like to thank you for help me. It sounds painful to a native ear! Always use the -ing. Another mistake is overusing it. If you say it five times in one speech, you’ll sound like a repetitive NPC in a video game. Use it once at the start or end to make it count. Lastly, don't forget the to. ✗ I would like thank you is missing the link. It’s a 'to' sandwich: would like + to + thank. Simple, right?
Common Variations
If you want to mix it up, try I want to thank you for.... It’s slightly more direct and a tiny bit less formal. If you’re feeling extra fancy, you could go with I wish to express my gratitude for.... That’s top-tier, 'writing to the Queen' level of English. On the casual side, you can say Huge thanks for... or I really appreciate.... In the UK, you might hear I’d like to say a big thank you for.... Each one changes the 'flavor' of the gratitude just a little bit, like adding different spices to the same dish.
Real Conversations
Speaker
Colleague
Speaker
Colleague
Another one:
User
Support
User
Quick FAQ
Is it too formal for an email to my boss? Not at all! It’s actually the perfect level of respect. Can I use it in a text message? Only if it’s a very serious or heartfelt text. Is 'I'd' okay? Yes, I'd like to is very common and sounds a bit more natural in speech. Does it work for small things? Better to save it for bigger favors so it doesn't lose its meaning. It's like using the 'good' plates for dinner—save them for when they matter!
Notes d'usage
This phrase is the gold standard for formal and professional English. Always ensure you use the '-ing' form of a verb if you aren't using a simple noun. It is best saved for situations where you want to show deliberate, intentional respect.
The 'Gerund' Rule
If you use a verb after 'for,' always add -ing. 'I would like to thank you for *joining* us' (not join).
Don't Overuse
If you say this for every small thing, you will sound like a robot. Save it for things that actually matter.
Email Etiquette
In a formal email, this is often the very first sentence. It 'softens' the reader before you ask for something else.
Exemples
10I would like to thank you for your attention today.
I would like to thank you for your attention today.
A classic way to close a speech politely.
I would like to thank you for being such a great friend during this mess.
I would like to thank you for being such a great friend during this mess.
The formality here shows the depth of your emotion.
I would like to thank you for the opportunity to grow with this team.
I would like to thank you for the opportunity to grow with this team.
Standard professional language for public gratitude.
First, I would like to thank you for hitting that subscribe button!
First, I would like to thank you for hitting that subscribe button!
Creates a warm connection with the audience.
I would like to thank you for the lovely meal and the even better company.
I would like to thank you for the lovely meal and the even better company.
Elegant and polite for social hosting.
✗ I would like to thank you for help me → ✓ I would like to thank you for helping me.
✗ I would like to thank you for help me → ✓ I would like to thank you for helping me.
Always use the -ing form after 'for'.
✗ I would like to thank you for the gift, you are so good → ✓ I would like to thank you for the gift, it’s so kind of you.
✗ I would like to thank you for the gift, you are so good → ✓ I would like to thank you for the gift, it’s so kind of you.
'You are so good' sounds child-like; 'It's so kind of you' is the formal match for this phrase.
I would like to thank you for all the sweet birthday wishes!
I would like to thank you for all the sweet birthday wishes!
Modern way to acknowledge followers.
I would like to thank you for not mentioning my bad haircut in your speech.
I would like to thank you for not mentioning my bad haircut in your speech.
Using a formal structure for a silly reason creates humor.
I would like to thank you for your time and for considering my application.
I would like to thank you for your time and for considering my application.
The gold standard for post-interview etiquette.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct preposition and verb form.
I would like to thank you ______ (help) me with the presentation.
After 'thank you,' we use 'for' + the gerund (-ing) form of the verb.
Which sentence is most appropriate for a formal business email?
You want to thank a client for their patience.
This is the standard formal construction for professional correspondence.
Complete the dialogue with the most formal option.
Manager: 'Here is the feedback on your proposal.' Employee: '________________________.'
In a manager-employee relationship, the most formal option is usually the safest and most professional.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Match 'I would like to thank you for your hospitality' to its context.
'Hospitality' refers to being a guest, and the formal tone fits a colleague relationship.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
What follows 'FOR'?
Nouns
- • your help
- • the opportunity
- • the gift
Gerunds (-ing)
- • helping me
- • inviting us
- • coming today
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesI would like to thank you ______ (help) me with the presentation.
After 'thank you,' we use 'for' + the gerund (-ing) form of the verb.
You want to thank a client for their patience.
This is the standard formal construction for professional correspondence.
Manager: 'Here is the feedback on your proposal.' Employee: '________________________.'
In a manager-employee relationship, the most formal option is usually the safest and most professional.
Match 'I would like to thank you for your hospitality' to its context.
'Hospitality' refers to being a guest, and the formal tone fits a colleague relationship.
🎉 Score : /4
Tutoriels video
Trouve des tutoriels vidéo sur YouTube pour cette expression.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it's very common and slightly more natural than the full 'I would like to.'
No, 'thank you' always takes the preposition 'for.'
Usually, yes. In a text, 'Thanks for...' or 'Thank you for...' is much better.
'Would like' is more polite and formal; 'want' is more direct and personal.
Absolutely. It's a perfect way to conclude by acknowledging the audience.
No, the sentence flows directly: 'I would like to thank you for [reason].'
Both are correct! One uses a noun, the other uses a gerund.
Yes, this is a very common way to express broad gratitude at the end of a relationship or project.
Yes, it is extremely common in British English, especially in formal settings.
Yes, just change 'you' to 'everyone' or 'the team.'
Expressions liées
I am grateful for
similarA slightly more emotional way to express thanks.
Much appreciated
similarA shorter, professional way to say thanks.
I owe you one
contrastAn informal way to say thanks by promising a future favor.
I'd like to express my appreciation for
specialized formA very high-level formal version.
