grateful for + thing
Appreciating something
Use for with objects, actions, experiences, or support.
She felt grateful for the second chance.
Grateful for or grateful to?
Use grateful for something you appreciate and grateful to someone who helped or supported you.
Quick answer
Grateful for vs. grateful to
Use grateful for before things, actions, or opportunities. Use grateful to before the person or organisation you appreciate.
I'm grateful for your advice.
We're grateful to our volunteers.
We're grateful to our volunteers.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
grateful to + person
Thanking a person or group
Use to with the source of help or kindness.
I am grateful to my teachers.
grateful to + person for + thing
Combining both patterns
You can mention both the person and the reason.
We are grateful to you for your patience.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
grateful for
He is grateful for the opportunity.
appreciating a thing or experience
grateful to
She is grateful to her mentor.
appreciating a person or organisation
thankful for
They were thankful for the support.
similar meaning, often slightly more emotional
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using grateful to before things
Use for with things or experiences.
✕ I'm grateful to your help. ✓ I'm grateful for your help.Omitting the person after grateful to
To should introduce a person or group.
✕ She was grateful to the advice. ✓ She was grateful for the advice.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. We are grateful ___ everyone who donated.
2. I'm grateful ___ the extra time.
3. She was grateful ___ her coach for the encouragement.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I use both for and to in one sentence?
Yes. For example: We are grateful to you for your support.
Is thankful the same as grateful?
They are similar, though grateful is often used in more formal contexts.
Can grateful be followed by a clause?
Yes. For example: I'm grateful that you came.
Related preposition guides
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