Is it correct to say NO THANKS.....grammatically?
By CrimsonSpork
@Manasha (2933)
Pondicherry, India
October 19, 2012 3:05am CST
Many a times , I have used these words no thanks when someone offered something. I dont know whether this is correct or not. Do you have any other word for avoiding the offers by someone politely. Else , do tell me the exact meaning of these words.
No mention are told when someone say thanks to our help. Is it correct?
5 responses
@silentwill (1685)
• Philippines
19 Oct 12
I believe "Don't mention it" or "It is my pleasure" will not work in the context of refusing someone. Those are usually said in response to "thank you" instead of saying "you're welcome. "
@silentwill (1685)
• Philippines
19 Oct 12
I also use it sometimes. I believe it is a shortened form of saying "No, but thank you anyway" whenever someone offers you something that you don't like or need. Gramatically I believe it's correct but saying "Thank you, but no thank you" may sound more polite.
@silentwill (1685)
• Philippines
19 Oct 12
Let me just add that mylot itself uses the phrase "no thanks." After responding to this discussion and submitting a tag, mylot prompted me if I'd like to add the interest this discussion was under to my interests and the options are "yes" or "no thanks."
@owlwings (43897)
• Cambridge, England
19 Oct 12
"No, thanks" is strictly colloquial. It is not incorrect but nor should it be seen as "good practice" just because MyLot label the button as such! There are other things which MyLot do (for example, the absence of initial capitals in some places) which should be considered "house style" rather than an example of "correctness"!
@silentwill (1685)
• Philippines
19 Oct 12
Well I don't really mean that just because mylot uses it it becomes good practice. I only mentioned it because it was right in front of me and was a coincidence that it appeared on a topic I was responding to and there it was. As for it being colloquial you're probably right.
@owlwings (43897)
• Cambridge, England
19 Oct 12
"No, thanks" is an idiomatic expression and is, strictly speaking, ungrammatical. You should only use it in speech, never in writing (unless you are reporting or quoting speech).
It is a shortened form of "No, [I] thank you [for asking]."
The word "thanks" on its own is generally a plural noun (like "news", it is a noun which it hardly ever used in the singular).
Thanks are always given to someone for something by someone who may say "Thank you [for the gift/your help]!" or, more casually and informally, "Thanks [for the gift/your help]!".
The expression "Thank you" should always be written as two words.
"Thank you for the gifts you gave", "She said 'thank you' to her boss for the raise" (Note that it would be better to write: "She thanked her boss for the raise").
Occasionally, "thanks" are made, rather than given (especially when the person being thanked is not specified): "They made their thanks and left the party." OR "They thanked their host and left the party."
@owlwings (43897)
• Cambridge, England
19 Oct 12
"Thanks" is also, of course, the third person present form of the verb "to thank" but when used as such will always have a subject: "The Chairman thanks the members of the Board for their attention to this matter".
@owlwings (43897)
• Cambridge, England
19 Oct 12
English has many ways of politely refusing something. Often people try to avoid using the word "No" (which is often considered a little too direct and, therefore, impolite).
Someone may refuse the gift of something or the offer of a service by saying: "Thank you/Thanks! I have one already." or "Thank you/Thanks! I can manage on my own."
@urbandekay (18278)
•
19 Oct 12
As a contraction it is informal. It is very common and in general usage amongst English people when speaking and in that sense is correct. Quite when contractions become accepted is debatable. If you are writing, you might prefer to use, 'No, thank you' or 'Thank you but no' even these might be considered as contractions
all the best, urban
@SIMPLYD (90717)
• Philippines
19 Oct 12
Yes, that's what we say when we refuse an offer. When we are offered food and we are full already, we say No thanks, i am full.
