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Differences between Grateful and Thankful in English

If translated, both Grateful and Thankful mean "being appreciative of something". However, the usage of these two words is completely different. In this article, PREP will help you understand the definitions, synonyms, and differences between Grateful and Thankful. Read it now!

I. What is Grateful?

According to the Cambridge and Oxford Learner's Dictionaries, Grateful is pronounced as /ˈɡreɪt.fəl/. Grateful functions as an adjective, meaning: feel that you want to thank someone because of something kind that they have done, or showing this feeling. For example:

I’m grateful for your love and support.
If you could get that report finished by Friday, I'd be very grateful.

Words/phrases often associated with Grateful:

Words/phrases often associated with Grateful	Example
Extremely/deeply/ eternally grateful	I am extremely grateful for the assistance you have provided.
Grateful thanks	Please extend to them our grateful thanks.
Most grateful	I would be most grateful if you would send me the book immediately.

Common structures of Grateful:

Structure	Example
Be grateful (to someone) for something	I am so grateful to Ms. Smith for all that she has done.
Be grateful to something	After the flood, we felt grateful to be alive.
Be grateful (that) …	I'm so grateful that I'm still working for Alex.

Note: In English, people often say "I appreciate it" instead of "I'm grateful".

Thanks, I’m really grateful. ➞ Thanks, I really appreciate it.
I’m grateful for everything you've done. ➞ I appreciate everything you've done.

II. What is Thankful?

According to the Cambridge and Oxford Learner's Dictionaries, Thankful is pronounced as /ˈθæŋk.fəl/. Thankful acts as an adjective, meaning: pleased about something good that has happened, or that something bad has not happened. For example:

I was thankful that the meeting didn't last long.
I was thankful that the lesson was over.

Common structures with Thankful:

Structure with Thankful	Example
Be thankful (to do something)	I was thankful to see they all arrived safely yesterday.
Be thankful for something	Anna was thankful for the warning sign, which she saw just in time to avoid danger.
Be thankful (that)…	I was thankful that Alex hadn't been hurt.
Be grateful/thankful for small mercies (Idiom)	Well, at least you weren't hurt. I suppose we should be grateful for small mercies.

III. Synonyms for Grateful and Thankful

Let's take a look at the list of synonyms for Grateful and Thankful below!

Synonym	Example
Appreciative	Maria was deeply appreciative of the support she received during challenging times.
Be glad of	We should be glad of the opportunities that come our way, no matter how small they may seem.
Be indebted to	I am forever indebted to my mentor for guiding me through my career with wisdom and patience.
Relieved	After a long and stressful day, she felt relieved when she finally completed the project successfully.
Touched	Jac’s kind gesture touched her heart, and she couldn't help but feel grateful for his thoughtfulness.

IV. Differences between Grateful and Thankful

Thankful and Grateful may seem similar in meaning at first glance, but they are used in different situations. Let's explore them with PREP right below!

	Grateful	Thankful
Usage	To show or express appreciation to someone for what they have done for you	Pleased about something good that has happened, or that something bad has not happened
Example	I was grateful that Jennie has done a lot for me.	I was thankful that Jennie had come home safe.

V. Exercises to distinguish Grateful and Thankful

Get a better grasp of the knowledge about the differences between Grateful and Thankful through the exercises provided by PREP below!

Exercise: Fill in Grateful or Thankful in the appropriate blanks

I am _______ for the support of my friends during difficult times.
I am _______ that the strangers helped me when I was lost.
Alva felt _______ for the opportunities that life had given her.
My mom is not good at cooking. However, I am _______ for the meal my mom prepared for us.
Amory is _______ for the chance to pursue his dreams and aspirations.
There are some new people coming. We are _______ for the generosity of them.
They are _______ for the love and support of their family members.
The weather is terrible. I am _______ that we are not going today.
The survivors of the natural disaster were _______ for the aid they received from volunteers.
I am _______ for my father’s help to fix my bike.

Answer:

Grateful
Thankful
Grateful
Thankful
Grateful
Thankful
Grateful
Thankful
Grateful
Grateful

PREP hopes that through this article, you have understood the definitions, usages, and differences between Grateful and Thankful. Keep following PREP regularly to stay updated with more valuable English grammar knowledge! Best of luck to you!

Master Tu Pham

Founder/CEO at Prep

Founder of Prep Smart Test Preparation Platform. With over 10 years of experience in teaching and test preparation, Mr. Tú has helped thousands of students achieve high scores in the IELTS exam. In addition, Mr. Tú Phạm is also a consulting expert in British Council programs and a speaker at many leading educational events, programs, and conferences.