Words / B2

GRAYTF-uh-lee/ˈɡreɪtfəli/

Gratefully means in a way that shows you are pleased and want to thank someone: accept gratefully; gratefully received. Grateful is the adjective; thankfully often comments on a lucky escape, not thanks to a person — classic trap. She accepted the grant gratefully; still name the awarding body. Mix-up: gratefully vs greatly; graceful. Do not write gratefully when nobody is being thanked.

Meaning

In a way that shows you are pleased and want to thank someone.

Examples

• “She accepted the grant gratefully, the letter said; still name the awarding body.”
• “Donations gratefully received featured on the notice, which is the thanks sense.”

Good to know

accept / receive gratefully; gratefully received. Adjective: grateful. Trap: thankfully / greatly / graceful. Letters, news, and orals. In a thankful way, not “luckily”.

Near in meaning

thankfully, appreciatively

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