Is It Correct to Say “You Are Most Welcome”?

The phrase “you are most welcome” may sound unnecessary to some. Surely, there’s a simpler way to say that, right? Perhaps so, but is it actually wrong, or is it just a little wordy?

In this post, we will discuss whether or not “you are most welcome” is correct.

Is It Correct to Say “You Are Most Welcome”?

It is correct to say “you are most welcome”. While this phrase is very formal, it simply means that someone is “welcome” to the highest possible degree. It simply allows someone to say “you’re welcome” but with more emphasis. However, there are better ways to say this.

you are most welcome

If you want to get into the nitty-gritty of why “you are most welcome” is grammatically correct, thankfully, it’s pretty simple. The subject of the sentence is “you”. “Welcome” is an adjective describing “you”. “Most” is an adverb modifying “welcome”.

“You are most welcome” is just a way to describe someone as being extra welcome, as opposed to “ordinary” welcome. It’s completely proper. In fact, some would consider it too proper. “You are most welcome” is very formal and would garner many raised eyebrows in any casual setting.

That said, if you do want to use it, the phrase “you are most welcome” is used in the exact same ways as other common sayings, such as “you’re welcome” or “you are welcome”. Consider the following examples:

  • You are most welcome for the gift; I’m glad you like it.
  • Don’t be afraid to make yourself at home. You are most welcome here.

In either of these sentences, “you are most welcome” could be replaced with just “you’re welcome” or “you are welcome”, and the result would have been mostly the same. Some emphasis may have been lost, but not the actual meaning of the sentence.

So, we’ve established that “you are most welcome” is correct. But if you aren’t comfortable with the phrase, we have compiled a list of what to say instead of “you are most welcome” down below.

Other Ways to Say “You Are Most Welcome”

Other ways to say “you are most welcome” are “you are very welcome, it’s my pleasure”, and “it was the least I could do”. An important thing to understand about “you’re welcome” is that it is very formulaic. It is often said in English just because it is expected of us as a response to “thank you”.

This means that there are many ways to say “you are most welcome”. Pretty much any means of acknowledging gratitude can be used in its place. Most of the emphasis is placed on tone of voice and demeanor, more than the words themselves.

So, there are many synonym phrases to consider beyond the three mentioned above. But don’t worry, we’ll go into detail on many of them below.

You’re Very Welcome

This is the most direct alternative to “you are most welcome” as it is pretty much the same phrase. However, it’s worth noting that “very welcome” is used much more frequently in modern English than “most welcome”. So even though the meaning is identical, “very welcome” is preferable.

  • Emile: Thank you so much for helping me out today!
  • Jun: You’re very welcome. I’m happy to help, anytime.
  • Carter: I really appreciate your help with this.
  • Ulrich: You’re very welcome. Hopefully things will be alright for a while now.

It’s My Pleasure

“It’s my pleasure” is another way to say that someone is “most welcome”, because it implies that you were happy to do whatever you are being thanked for. Someone is “more welcome” is you are particularly happy to have aided them in the first place.

  • Please, don’t worry about repaying me; it’s my pleasure to assist you.
  • I appreciate your gratitude, but it’s my pleasure to be of assistance. Please think nothing of it.

It Was the Least I Could Do

Another way of implying that someone is very welcome to your efforts is to say “it was the least I could do”. This phase implies that what you did was not a big deal and doesn’t require any sort of special gratitude. For you, it was a small thing that you were happy to do.

  • Minerva: You didn’t have to help me with this, you know.
  • Claude: Maybe, but it was the least I could to help you out.
  • You don’t have to thank me for the meal; it was the least I could do.

Think Nothing of It

Implying that what you did to be thanked is unimportant and not worth being praised is another way to tell someone that they are “most welcome”. One of the ways you can do this is to say “think nothing of it”. It’s pretty wordy, but still works as a pretty useful synonym phrase nonetheless.

  • Charles: Are you really willing to part with this much money just to help me?
  • Linda: Of course, think nothing of it. We are friends, after all.
  • Think nothing of it: you are welcome to my aid whenever you need it.

I’m Happy to Help

Letting someone know that you helping them was not a matter of obligation, but because you wanted to, is another way to tell them that they are “most welcome” to your aid. Not only that, but “I’m happy to help” is still pretty casual and can be used in most situations.

  • Elaine: I can’t thank you enough for waking up early to help me with this.
  • Lyon: I’m happy to help, Elaine. Don’t worry about it.
  • If you need anything, I’m happy to help. All you have to do is ask.

Don’t Mention It

By stating that your aid is not important enough to even bother mentioning, you are saying that someone is very welcome to that aid. “Don’t mention it” is just a way to say that someone is most welcome to whatever aid you offered to them. It’s also very casual, which can be useful.

  • Gertrude: This would have been a nightmare without your help. Thanks so much!
  • Catherine: It’s nothing, don’t mention it.
  • Carl: You’ve really helped me out by doing this, Jane.
  • Jane: Don’t mention it, Carl. It’s no big deal.

It’s No Problem

You can imply that someone is most welcome by letting them know the aid you offered them caused no trouble to you at all. To do this, you can simply respond to “thank you” with “it’s no problem” or simply “no problem”. This is extremely casual, so it shouldn’t be used in formal settings.

  • If you need my help, don’t hesitate to ask. It’s no problem for me.
  • Sasha: I’m surprised that you’re willing to help me do this.
  • Connie: It’s no problem; I actually think it’ll be fun.

Anything I Can Do to Help

“Anything I can do to help” implies that someone is entitled to your assistance. This is another way to state that they are “most welcome” to anything you do for them. It’s obviously a bit on the wordier side, but it is still fairly casual and can be used in many situations.

  • If there’s anything I can do to help, just let me know.
  • Ike: Thank you for all of your hard work today, Silas.
  • Silas: Anything I can do to help, pal.

Anytime

“Anytime” is a very casual way to imply that you would be willing to help someone at any time. This is just another roundabout way of saying that they are “most welcome” to your assistance. You can use this as an informal substitute for “thank you”, but it may not always be appropriate.

  • Ophelia: This project got finished a lot faster thanks to you, Claire!
  • Claire: Anytime, Ophelia.
  • Velma: Thanks a lot for coming with me. I was pretty nervous about this meeting.
  • Daphne: Anytime. You know I’m always happy to go with you anywhere.