Is thank you a sentence?

As a language expert with a focus on English linguistics, I'm often asked about the nuances of everyday expressions. One such common question is whether "thank you" can be considered a complete sentence. The answer to this is both straightforward and nuanced, depending on the context in which it's used.

Firstly, let's define what constitutes a sentence in English grammar. A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought and contains a subject and a predicate. The subject is the person, place, thing, or idea that the sentence is about, while the predicate contains the verb and any additional information about the subject.

Now, when we look at "thank you," it's clear that it expresses a complete thought: gratitude. However, it lacks a traditional subject and predicate structure. "Thank you" is an interjection, which is a type of sentence that stands alone and is used to express emotion. Interjections are unique because they can be a single word or a brief phrase that conveys a strong feeling or reaction.

In formal written English, "thank you" is often followed by a period, especially when it stands alone or concludes a statement. For example, in a letter, you might write: "I am grateful for your assistance. Thank you." Here, "Thank you" is a complete sentence because it ends the thought and is punctuated as such.

However, in conversational English or informal writing, "thank you" is frequently used without a period, particularly when it's part of a larger thought or when it's followed by additional information. For instance, "Thank you, I appreciate it" is a common phrase where "thank you" is not treated as a complete sentence but rather as a phrase leading into another sentence.

The reference you provided suggests that "Thanks" is similar to "Yes" or "Goodbye" in that it can function as a sentence, but it's unusual to follow it with a period when it's part of a larger sentence. This is accurate. "Thanks" is an abbreviated form of "thank you" and can be used in the same way. It's common to see "Thanks" used in informal writing or speech, often without a period, especially when it's followed by additional commentary or a question.

In conclusion, whether "thank you" or "thanks" is considered a sentence depends on how it's used. In formal contexts where it stands alone and concludes a thought, it can be punctuated as a sentence. In informal contexts or when it's part of a larger thought, it's typically not treated as a complete sentence and may not be followed by a period.

Now, let's move on to the translation into Chinese.

3 Answers. Grammatically, 'Thanks' is as much a sentence as 'Yes' or 'Goodbye'; but, as you suspected, it is unusual to put a full stop after it when followed by a related sentence.Jan 8, 2012