The words greatful and grateful are often confused by writers. In fact, they are confused so frequently that people are not sure of the correct spelling. In this post, we’ll teach you how to decide between greatful or grateful in your writing!
Which Spelling Is Correct: Greatful or Grateful?
Greatful is the correct spelling. However, these two words are commonly confused because “greatful and grateful” sound the exact same. The fact that English speakers are so familiar with the word “great” only adds to the conversion.
We often say “great job” or “great, thanks for the heads up“, so greatful must be the right spelling, right?
Wrong! Grateful is actually the correct spelling in every situation. In fact, greatful is NOT a word in the English language.
The word grateful is an adjective that means thankful or appreciative. When we feel grateful, we are acknowledging that someone has done something nice for us, and we are thankful for their act of kindness.
Takeaway: Grateful is the correct spelling in ALL situations. Greatful is NOT a word.
Origin Of The Word Grateful
The origins of the word grateful is undoubtedly related to the Latin word gratus, which means ‘for thanks.’ The Latin roots of this word date back several hundred years. In fact, many words in the English language like phonetics & phonics have a Latin root.
Over time, “grateful” began to be used more broadly to describe a feeling of appreciation or indebtedness for any kind of favor or benefit.
Examples
Here are some examples of how to use “grateful” in adjective form.
- I’m grateful that I’m not a turkey this Thanksgiving.
- I’m grateful for my health.
- I love the way James looked at me with a grateful smile.
- I’m grateful that my cat slept through the night. It’s the first time in months that I haven’t been woken up by a loud meow or a furry paw swatting at my face.
- I’m grateful for small things, like not having to dodge raindrops on my walk to work.
Synonyms for Grateful
As we already covered, grateful means you appreciate and are thankful for something or someone. Here are some synonyms for “grateful”.
- Thankful
- Appreciative
- Beholden
- Indebted
- Obliged
Writing A Thank You Note
Writing a thank you note or writing a postcard is a fantastic way to express your gratitude. Here are some tips on how to write an elective thank you note.
- Be sure to address the person properly (Name, titles, etc.)
- Explain what you valued about the past conversation or action. This will help the recipient feel appreciated.
- Keep it short and sweet. No one wants to read a novel, so focus on the key points.
- Be sincere. Thank you cards are all about expressing your gratitude, so make sure your message comes from the heart.
If someone goes out of their way to help you or show you kindness…take a few minutes to write a thank you note!
When Should You Be Grateful
Being grateful is more than just saying “thank you.” It’s about acknowledging the good in your life, even during tough times. Here are a few moments when you should take a step back and be grateful:
- When you’re feeling down in the dumps
- When you’ve had a bad day – Think of all the good in your life. Maybe you didn’t have the best day at work, but you’re lucky enough to have a job.
- When things are going well – Be thankful for your good fortune! Whether you’re celebrating a big accomplishment or simply enjoying a quiet moment, remember to appreciate the good in your life.
When Is Greatful Correct?
It is NEVER grammatically correct to use the word grateful. This makes the decision between greatful vs grateful that much easier. Grateful isn’t even a word!
If you want to be a better writer, make sure you use the version of the word, NOT the version spelled “greatful”!
Trick To Remember
To remember the difference between greatful or grateful…try my unique trick.
Remember the saying “grateful is not great!” This is a fantastic reminder that these two words have totally different meanings. You could also memorize the phrase “I am grateful for grates!” Both of these phrases are effective memory tricks to avoid making a silly mistake.
If you still can remember how to use grateful in your writing…then use our FREE spell checker.
What Is The Ayntoym Of Greatful?
The antonym of “grateful” is “ungrateful.” When someone is “ungrateful” it refers to their lack of gratitude or an absence of thankfulness. An ungrateful person typically fails to acknowledge or show appreciation for the kindness, favors, or benefits they have received from others. Below are some other ayntonyms for ungreatful.
- Ingrate
- Thankless
- Unappreciative
- Unthankful
FAQs – Grateful vs Greatful
Greatful is not a word, it is a common misspelling of grateful. While some people might argue that it should be considered a real word because of its frequent usage, it is not listed in any major dictionary.
The reason people commonly confuse these two words is likely related to the pronunciation of great numbers. Many years ago people were used to saying the word “great”. There were “great kings” and “great numbers”. This lead many people to use the incorrect spelling greatful.
The word grateful is a way to express that you feel thankful. In fact, it originates from the word gratitude. When someone does a favor for you, you might say “I am eternally grateful for your support!”
The correct spelling for Americans is grateful. The word grateful is a way of expressing gratitude in written or verbal conversation.
Greatful is NOT a word & is the wrong spelling of grateful. Therefore, thankful is the correct word and should be used to express gratitude.
You should say “grateful to you” when talking about the person you are grateful for. For example, “I am grateful to you for your help.” When someone does something good for us, we feel gratitude. Saying “grateful for you” would imply that we are grateful for the thing they have done.
The Bottom Line
Remember, the next time you want to show your appreciation for something, make sure to use the word “grateful” and not “greatful.” It may seem like a small distinction, but it can make all the difference in how your message is received.
