What happens in the video
Theo thanks Hana for catching the typos in his slides. Hana says "You're welcome" and adds that she stopped counting at twelve, even though there are only ten slides. Then she says "Glad I could help" and mentions she fixed his name too, and Theo realizes he spelled his own name wrong.
1 Don't mention it.
Tone Casual and modest
Use it for small favors, like holding a door or lending a pen. It means the favor was easy for you. It can sound too light after someone thanks you for a big effort.
Don't mention it.
For example:
A: Thanks for saving me a seat.
B: Don't mention it.
2 Glad I could help.
Tone Warm and friendly
Use it when your help actually worked and you're happy about the result. It fits coworkers, friends, and neighbors. It sounds odd if you didn't really do anything.
Glad I could help.
For example:
A: Your tip fixed my laptop. Thank you!
B: Glad I could help.
A: I owe you a coffee.
3 My pleasure.
Tone Polite and professional
Use it with clients, customers, guests, or anyone you serve at work. It says you were happy to do it. With close friends it can sound a little formal.
My pleasure, William.
For example:
A: Thank you for booking the table for us.
B: My pleasure. Enjoy your dinner.
4 Anytime.
Tone Friendly and generous
Use it with friends and coworkers when you'd happily help again. Don't say it if you don't want to be asked again.
For example:
A: Thanks for the ride home.
B: Anytime.
5 Happy to help.
Tone Friendly and helpful
Use it at work, in emails, and in customer service. It's a little more neutral than "Glad I could help" and works even before you know the result.
For example:
A: Thanks for explaining the new system.
B: Happy to help. Just ask if anything else comes up.
6 No problem.
Tone Relaxed and informal
Use it in everyday conversation for small things. In formal service situations, "My pleasure" or "You're welcome" sounds more polite.
For example:
A: Thanks for sending me the file.
B: No problem.
7 Of course.
Tone Warm and natural
Use it when helping was the obvious thing to do, often with friends or family. It means "I'd always do that for you."
For example:
A: Thank you for coming to the hospital with me.
B: Of course. I wanted to be here.
8 It was nothing.
Tone Modest and casual
Use it to play down a favor you did. Be careful after a big effort, because the other person may want to show real thanks.
For example:
A: Thanks for watering my plants all week.
B: It was nothing. They were easy.
Common mistakes
-
Not quite
Your welcome.Better You're welcome.
"You're" is the short form of "you are." "Your" shows possession, so "your welcome" is a spelling mistake.
-
Not quite
A: Thank you for your help. B: With pleasure.Better A: Thank you for your help. B: My pleasure.
"With pleasure" is a reply to a request, like "Can you help me?" After a thank you, use "My pleasure."
-
Not quite
Glad I could helped.Better Glad I could help.
After "could," use the base form of the verb, so "help," not "helped."
Quick quiz
Choose your answer for each question, then open the answer to check it.
-
A hotel guest thanks you for carrying their bags. Which reply sounds most professional?
- Anytime.
- My pleasure.
- It was nothing.
- No problem.
Show the answer (Question 1)
Answer: My pleasure. "My pleasure" is polite and works well with clients, customers, and guests.
-
A coworker says your advice fixed their report. Which reply shows you're happy it worked?
- Glad I could help.
- Don't mention it.
- With pleasure.
Show the answer (Question 2)
Answer: Glad I could help. "Glad I could help" shows you're happy your help solved the problem.
-
Someone thanks you for passing the salt. Which reply fits a small favor best?
- Don't mention it.
- My pleasure, sir.
- Of course, I wanted to be here.
Show the answer (Question 3)
Answer: Don't mention it. "Don't mention it" is casual and modest, so it suits small favors.
-
What does "Anytime" tell the other person?
- You don't want to help again.
- You'd be happy to help again.
- The favor was very difficult.
Show the answer (Question 4)
Answer: You'd be happy to help again. "Anytime" means you're open to helping again whenever they need it.
-
Which reply is correct after someone says "Thank you"?
- Your welcome.
- With pleasure.
- You're welcome.
Show the answer (Question 5)
Answer: You're welcome. "You're welcome" uses "you're" (you are), and "With pleasure" answers a request, not thanks.
Questions learners ask
Is it rude to say "no problem" instead of "you're welcome"?
No. "No problem" is a normal, friendly reply in everyday American English. In formal service situations, like talking to a client, "My pleasure" or "You're welcome" sounds more polite.
What is the difference between "my pleasure" and "with pleasure"?
Say "My pleasure" after someone thanks you. Say "With pleasure" when someone asks you to do something and you agree happily. For example, if someone asks "Could you help me?" you can answer "With pleasure."
What should I say after a thank you at work?
"Happy to help" and "Glad I could help" both work well with coworkers. With clients and customers, "My pleasure" sounds polite and professional. Short replies like "Anytime" are fine with coworkers you know well.
Does "Don't mention it" mean I shouldn't talk about the favor?
No. It's just a modest way to say the favor was small and easy for you. The other person isn't being asked to keep anything secret.
Film lines are short quotes used for language teaching. The dialogue belongs to its rightsholders. Theo and Hana are animated characters made with Google Flow.
