How to Write Formal Thank-You Emails in English [Updated]

Thanking a friend is different than thanking someone in a business situation, especially in writing. So here are several ways you can do it in an email.

Useful Phrases for Thank-You Emails

“Thanks for your help.”

This phrase can be used when saying only "Thanks" sounds too casual. For example, if you're talking to a boss or supervisor, "Thanks for your help" is more appropriate. 

“Thank you for the advance notice.” 

This phrase is used to thank someone for sharing information in advance. For example, if you receive an email saying, “I'll be away next week and will return to work on August 3rd,” you can reply with "Thank you for the advance notice."

A more casual version of the phrase is “Thank you for the heads-up.”

“Thank you for the prompt response.”

This phrase can be used to reply to a work email to show appreciation for a quick response to a message you sent earlier. 

A more casual version is “Thank you for getting back to me so quickly.”

“Thank you for taking the time to meet with me/us today.”

It's common to send a thank-you email after an interview or an important meeting with a client or business partner. You can use the phrase above in situations like this. 

A more casual version is “Thank you for meeting with me/us.”

“Thank you so much for this opportunity.”

An expression like this is used when, for example, you're offered a chance to give a presentation or to do some other special activity.

Thank-You Email Samples

 Here is an example of a thank-you email you can send after an event:

Dear Mike,

I'd like to thank you again for your help organizing our 20th anniversary event. You'll be glad to know that our guests enjoyed every moment of it. In fact, my manager said it would be great if we could count on your expertise for our next event. Looking forward to working with you in the future.

Thank you again,

Jane

Here is an example of a thank-you email sent after attending a meeting:

Dear Ken,

Thank you so much for taking the time to meet me for lunch today. Your feedback was extremely valuable, and I have already discussed your suggestions for improving the user interface with my team. I will keep you posted on the progress. Let's hope our next meeting will be to celebrate a successful release!

Regards,
Mary

This is an example of a thank-you email to send after attending a job interview:

Dear Mr. Smith,

Thank you for the opportunity to interview for the marketing position at your company. I truly enjoyed learning more about this role and the company in general, and I now feel even more confident that my skills and experience would make me a great addition to your team. 

Thank you again for your time and consideration. I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Anne

Things to Remember When Writing Thank-You Emails

• Don't take too long to say "thank you"

The timing of your email is important. It's respectful to send it within a day of a meeting or interview.

• Don't make the email too long

Businesspeople don’t have time to read emails that are too long, so get to the main point of your message quickly.

• Don't send the same email to different people

People notice when they receive emails with the same wording. If you want to use a template, be sure to add some unique details about the person you’re thanking.

Wrap-up

Taking a few minutes to write good thank-you emails will improve your professional image and business relationships. It's not difficult with the right timing and a few helpful phrases.

If you need more specific help writing the perfect business email, Engoo has experienced tutors ready to help you 24 hours a day.