I Appreciate It – Meaning, Origin and Usage

‘I  appreciate it’ is a very common phrase that you are very likely to hear in English speaking countries the world over.

For the most part, it is a literal phrase, but not always. So, if you’re a little unsure of what is being said, you’ve come to the right place. I’m going to unpack what the phrase means, touch on the origin of the phrase, provide you with a few examples of the phrase in use, give you a choice of alternative phrases you can use in its place, and finally, wrap up with a conclusion. Here goes!

What is the meaning of the phrase ‘I appreciate it’?

The phrase ‘I appreciate it’ means that the speaker values whatever it is that’s being done or been done. It’s very similar to the more common phrase ‘Thank you’ or ‘Thanks’, except that ‘I appreciate it’ implies putting a greater, more considered value on the action done.

Whereas ‘Thank you’ or ‘Thanks’ are often considered throw-away comments that are often said automatically, when someone says ‘I appreciate it’ to you, they are saying that they are truly, genuinely grateful for what you have done for them.

What is the origin of the phrase ‘I appreciate it’?

The verb ‘appreciate’ can be dated back to the 1650s, and is derived from the Late Latin word appretiatus. The word ‘appreciate’ can be likened to the word ‘appreciating’ which describes the rise in value of tangible or intangible things. Similarly, the word ‘appreciated’ can also be taken to express ‘thanks’ or to describe a rise in value of something. This sense of the word came into being later, between the years 1787 and 1833.

How and when can you say ‘I appreciate it’?

The phrase ‘I appreciate it’ can be used in the same instances as the more common phrases ‘Thank you’ and ‘Thanks’. That said however, people are more likely to use the phrase ‘I appreciate it’ when something particularly valuable is done.

Examples may include saving someone’s life, or donating a kidney, working overtime, volunteer work, or cooking Thanksgiving/Christmas dinner. In other words, it’s a much deeper and heartfelt version of the phrase ‘Thank you’. A more sincere, and well considered ‘Thank you’. It is reserved for thoughtful actions or actions that have required considerable effort.

You can also say ‘Thanks. I appreciate it’, ‘Thank you, I appreciate it’, ‘Thank you, I do appreciate it’ and so on.

However, there are also occasionally situations where people will use the phrase sarcastically. For example, someone might say ‘I appreciate it’ when the bare minimum has been, and it has made very little, or negligible difference to their situation. This use of the phrase is rare however.

There are also times when someone might use the phrase ‘I appreciate it’ when they are being insincere, but have decided to be polite to ‘save face’. This is because sometimes people believe they are being helpful, when they aren’t actually being helpful.

If you’re not 100% sure how the phrase is meant when someone says it to you, pay attention to clues such as the context in which the phrase is being used, the facial expression used and the tone of voice used.

What are some other ways of saying ‘I appreciate it’?

Here follows some alternative ways of saying ‘I appreciate it’:

• ‘Thank you’
• ‘Thanks’
• ‘Thanks a lot’
• ‘Thanks very much’
• ‘Thanks a bunch’
• ‘Thank you so much’
• ‘Many thanks’
• ‘Thanks in advance’
• ‘Thank you from the heart’
• ‘I am grateful’
• ‘I am very grateful’
• ‘I am truly grateful’
• ‘I am so grateful to you’
• ‘I am so grateful for you’
• ‘I couldn’t be more grateful for what you have done’
• ‘How can I ever repay you?’
• ‘I will be forever grateful to you.’
• ‘You’ve made such a difference.’
• ‘I/we are truly thankful’
• ‘Thank you for your time’
• ‘Thank you for your efforts.’
• ‘Thank you for helping.’
• ‘I appreciate that’
• ‘Much obliged’
• ‘I am deeply indebted to you’
• ‘That is very kind of you.’
• ‘I appreciate the gesture’

Final thoughts

So, to sum up,the phrase ‘I appreciate it’ is usually a literal one. An alternative way to pass on your thanks, gratitude and appreciation for something someone has done for you.

The phrase is considered to demonstrate placing a stronger emphasis on the value of the action done, unlike comparable phrases, such as ‘thanks’, which is often considered a throw-away, automatic comment that people say without really thinking about it.

If you say ‘I appreciate it’ to someone instead of ‘Thanks’ or ‘Thank you’ this generally goes down well. It is a better way to express thanks and gratitude, since it shows that you value the action done, and that you are grateful.