appreciated
B2Formal, Neutral
Definition
Meaning
Recognized and understood the value, quality, or significance of someone or something; felt grateful for.
Having increased in value over time (financial sense); been fully understood or comprehended.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As an adjective (e.g., 'an appreciated asset'), it is often used in technical/financial contexts. As a verb in the perfect or passive, it strongly implies gratitude or recognition in interpersonal contexts. The financial sense is less frequent in everyday speech.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor differences in typical phrasings. 'Much appreciated' is slightly more formulaic/colloquial in US English. In business contexts, 'Your feedback is greatly appreciated' is equally common in both.
Connotations
In UK English, the adjective form for a person ('He is very much appreciated') can sound slightly more formal or reserved than the US equivalent.
Frequency
The word is very common in both varieties with negligible frequency difference.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] appreciates [Object][Object] is appreciated (by [Subject])It is appreciated that [clause]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(Your help) would be much appreciated”
- “An appreciated asset”
- “To be appreciated at its true worth”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in emails and meetings to express gratitude professionally: 'Your prompt response is greatly appreciated.'
Academic
Used to discuss the understanding or valuation of concepts, art, or data: 'The complexity of the phenomenon is not fully appreciated.'
Everyday
Used to thank someone sincerely: 'Thanks for listening, I really appreciated it.'
Technical
In finance/economics: 'The property has appreciated significantly since purchase.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We really appreciated the quiet after the children left.
- The house has appreciated in value by 20%.
American English
- I appreciated you taking the time to call.
- His vintage car has appreciated a lot.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Thank you for your help. It is appreciated.
- I appreciated the gift.
- Your advice was greatly appreciated during the project.
- We haven't always appreciated how difficult her job is.
- The historical significance of the site is not always appreciated by visitors.
- His contributions to the company are highly appreciated by management.
- The full implications of the policy change were not immediately appreciated.
- The artist's work is now widely appreciated, though it was ignored in her lifetime.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of APPRECIATED as adding a PRICE (from Latin 'pretium') to something to show its value. You 'rate' it highly.
Conceptual Metaphor
VALUE IS WEALTH (to appreciate = to grow in monetary value); UNDERSTANDING IS GRASPING (to appreciate a fact = to fully grasp it).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of 'Я ценю это' as 'I appreciate it' in every context; it can sound overly formal for minor thanks. Use 'thank you' for simple situations.
- Do not confuse with 'оценивать' meaning 'to evaluate/assess'. 'Appreciate' implies positive valuation, not neutral assessment.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I am appreciating your help' (avoid present continuous for stative meaning). Correct: 'I appreciate your help.'
- Incorrect: 'It is very appreciate.' Correct: 'It is very much appreciated.' or 'It is very appreciative.' (different meaning).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'appreciated' used in its financial sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Appreciated' describes something (an action, gift, person) that is valued. 'Grateful' describes the feeling of the person who receives something ('I am grateful for your help'). You can say 'Your help is appreciated' (the help is valued) or 'I am grateful for your help' (I feel thankful).
It is correct but is a shortened, somewhat colloquial form of 'It is much appreciated.' It is common in spoken English and informal writing (e.g., work chats, quick emails to colleagues). For formal correspondence, use the full sentence.
Typically, no. 'Appreciated' inherently carries a positive connotation of recognition or increased value. To express the opposite, you use antonyms like 'unappreciated', 'undervalued', or 'depreciated' (for financial decline).
Generally, avoid the continuous form ('am appreciating', 'was appreciating') for the main meaning of 'being thankful for' or 'recognizing value', as it's a stative verb. However, the continuous can be used for the financial sense to emphasize an ongoing process: 'The stock is appreciating right now.'
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