1. Skills
  2. Writing
  3. B1 writing
  4. A thank-you message

A thank-you message

A thank-you message

Learn how to write a thank-you message to a colleague.

Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and tips and do the exercises.

Preparation

Grouping_MjMxMTU=

Reading text

From: Paco
To: Maria
Subject: Thanks

Hi Maria,

I hope you're well.

I'm just writing to say thanks for your help on the project last month. We really appreciate you stepping in to support us. I know you had to put in extra hours to catch up on your own work, so thank you very much.  

Your expertise was vital for this project and we couldn't have finished it successfully without you. You really helped us and we hope to work with you again on future projects.

I'll be in touch again soon about possible future collaborations. I look forward to working with you more closely this year.

All the best,

Paco

Tips

  1. Start with a friendly comment:
    I hope you're well.
  2. It's usually best to use an informal style with colleagues:
    Hi Maria, …
    Thanks for your help.
  3. Keep it short.
  4. Mention the good work they did and the positive effect of it:
    Your expertise was vital for this project.
    We couldn't have finished it successfully without your help.
  5. End with a positive comment about future collaboration:
    I hope to work with you more closely in future.
    I look forward to working with you again.

Task 1

Exercise

Task 2

Exercise

Task 3

Exercise

Discussion

When was the last time you thanked a colleague for something?

Download
Worksheet89.49 KB
Try another writing

Language level

B1 Intermediate
Average: 4.6 (25 votes)
Do you need to improve your English writing skills?
Join thousands of learners from around the world who are improving their English writing skills with our live online classes and personal tutoring courses.
Find out more

Roles

  • anonymous user role (no expiration)

Submitted by Zhansaya (not verified) on Thu, 02/04/2020 - 09:27

Permalink
From: Zhansaya To:Kirk ( The LearnEnglish Team) Subject: Thanks Hi Kirk, I hope you're well. I'm just writing to say thanks for your help on the LearnEnglish Website. I really appreciate your helping and supporting for students who learns English, so thank you very much. Your expertise and tips in the area of English really helpful for us and I believe that your work will be help for many students in the future. I'll be pleased if you're will answer to my message.I look forward wait to your answer. All the best, Zhansaya
Profile picture for user Kirk Moore

Submitted by Kirk Moore on Thu, 02/04/2020 - 10:26

Permalink

Hello Zhansaya

Thanks for your comment! Even though all of us at the British Council are happy to be able to help and support students like you, it's always nice to get messages like yours.

Take care and stay safe!

All the best

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Profile picture for user Magedelabd

Submitted by Magedelabd on Wed, 18/03/2020 - 16:50

Permalink
Nowadays in my country I haven't seen anyone help the others. Thr people became so bad.
Profile picture for user Nikolaos Stavrianakis

Submitted by Nikolaos Stavr… on Sun, 15/03/2020 - 14:31

Permalink
Hello Kirk, sorry to bother you again I just read this sentence below '' Cannes Festival President: "We'll Cancel" if Coronavirus Situation Doesn't Improve'' Because this situation is changing why is it not using present continuous? All the best Nikolaos

Hello Nikolaos

It's because it's a conditional sentence. The condition for the Cannes festival being canceled is a situation in which the Coronavirus situation has not improved. That condition is not a changing condition, it is a condition that has improved or has not (otherwise, how can you make a decision to cancel or not?) and so a continuous form expressing change doesn't make sense here.

Please note that it is possible to use a continuous form in conditional sentences (e.g. 'If he's coming to the party, I'm staying home' -- here the present continuous expresses future plans), but a continuous form in the headline you asked about just doesn't express the right meaning.

All the best

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Profile picture for user Nikolaos Stavrianakis

Submitted by Nikolaos Stavr… on Sun, 15/03/2020 - 12:20

Permalink
Hello Kirk, could you help me with this question? please Which one of these sentences below is correct, and why? 1. My aunt's health isn't improving after her operation, unfortunately. 2. My aunt's health doesn't improve after her operation, unfortunately. Thank you Nikolaos

Hello Nikolaos

The first sentence is the correct one. Since we are speaking about a situation that is changing, our aunt's changing health, we use a continuous verb form: the present continuous.

All the best

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by jazmin marquez on Fri, 06/03/2020 - 12:15

Permalink
Dear students, I hope you are well. I am writing this email to thank you for your support during this important and difficult process. We could not have done this real without all of you. You really helped us with your patience and ideas. Remember that students are the most important part of the educational process, therefore, we look forward to working with you next year. I will contact you again for your enrollment, so that we have everything ready and can start the school year without problems. Finally, I hope you have a wonderful vacation and see you soon. All the best, Jasmine.