“Thank you for your patience”: Meaning, Usage & Examples

One of many issues that makes language studying so difficult is that there are a number of ranges of ritual.

Technically referred to as “registers,” these alternative ways to use a given language fascinate linguists however can frustrate learners.

It must be no shock that English is not any exception to this complexity.

As well as to the model of speech used day by day by extraordinary individuals, there are formal registers in addition to these most acceptable to a enterprise setting.

Though these registers in English may be much less detailed than in another languages, there are completely phrases and nonstandard makes use of of English phrases and phrases that may be complicated.

In lots of languages, politeness is commonly a giant a part of the formal or enterprise register. That’s true in English as properly.

On this publish, we’ll check out one instance, the phrase “thank you for your persistence,” and decide precisely what it means and how to use it.

What does “Thank you for your persistence” mean?

There are two methods this phrase is often used, normally in a customer support setting. The precise meaning will rely on the context of the letter, chat or different sort of correspondence by which the phrase is used.

If you are coping with technical assist or another assist line, the phrase “thank you for your persistence” will typically be used to apologize for wait occasions, even when these weren’t lengthy.

Alternately, if you are seeing this in a letter informing you about one thing that has but to occur, the meaning is extra like “it might take some time for this to occur, and we apologize prematurely.”

Briefly, although, this phrase will be taken to mean that one thing is taking longer than may be perfect and the individual talking or writing to you about that’s apologizing for it.

The elements of “Thank you for your persistence” defined

Earlier than we take a look at the contexts by which this phrase may be used, let’s briefly look at the phrases it accommodates.

The second phrase, “your persistence,” merely refers to the act of being affected person or ready with out getting upset.

The primary phrase, “thank you for,” is kind of the identical. The speaker or author is saying thank you for one thing you are doing.

Put them collectively and you get “Thank you for your persistence,” a well mannered means to acknowledge somebody’s persistence.

Why is that this phrase so complicated?

Any language makes use of what are referred to as “registers.”

Though it’s past the scope of this text to go into lots of element, a register is principally only a particular means language is utilized in a selected context.

For instance, the way in which docs communicate to each other could be very completely different than the way in which heavy metallic singers in the identical band communicate to one another.

In different phrases, they use two completely different “registers” of English.

Though the concept of registers appears complicated at first, they’re a helpful means for a selected occupation or different group to outline shortcuts and phrases which carry a selected meaning within the context of a dialog.

For instance, “How properly do you drive?” will mean very various things on a golf course and when you’re behind the wheel of a automobile.

If you see the phrase “thank you for your persistence” getting used, it’s greater than doubtless in a proper register of some type.

Mostly, it’s utilized in customer support settings, but it surely may also present up in memos, official letters or notices or in different related contexts the place well mannered, formal language is the norm.

Why “Thank you” as an alternative of “sorry”?

One factor that’s notably attention-grabbing about this phrase is how difficult it’s psychologically.

Discover that “thank you” really means one thing nearer to “sorry” on this context?

As a result of it’s unhealthy kind to acknowledge that there was or goes to be a delay, the widespread observe in enterprise is to flip that round and concentrate on a optimistic side of the client as an alternative.

Which might you moderately hear after a protracted wait? “Sorry, I’m gradual,” or “Thank you for your persistence?”

Though neither is right, from the angle of an employer or enterprise the latter is significantly better.

It’ll make your clients affiliate politeness and good customer support with your firm, moderately than simply slowness.

This trick can also be helpful for the customer support representatives themselves. Thanking somebody for their good qualities is extra doubtless to relax offended clients than simply reminding them of another factor they are often offended about.

Because of this the phrase “Thank you” is a more sensible choice for customer support staff, or different varieties of assist workers, to use when coping with delays that they have to clarify to the client.

How and when to use the expression “thank you for your persistence”

“Thank you for your persistence” after a delay

One of the widespread methods this phrase is used is to acknowledge {that a} delay has already occurred and apologize for it.

If you’ve been on maintain for an hour, are receiving a refund a month later than you anticipated or have in another means been inconvenienced by ready for one thing to occur, chances are high good somebody will say this to you.

In fact, a fundamental precept of customer support is to at all times err on the facet of warning, so you may even hear this phrase used if the delay has been quick or nonexistent.

Regardless of how lengthy the delay, although, on this context you can take “thank you for your persistence” as simply an acknowledgement that you had been held up ready for one thing to occur, and an apology for the time you spent.

Instance 1: The usage of “thank you for your persistence” on a assist line

“Hi there, my name is Ted. Thank you for your persistence whereas you waited for me to reply. How can I assist you?”

Right here, the customer support consultant each thanks the client and acknowledges that the response was gradual.

Nevertheless, discover that even when explicitly acknowledging the wait the tendency is to concentrate on the client. It’s not “Thank you for your persistence with my slowness” however “Thank you for your persistence whereas you waited.”

Once more, that reinforcement of the client’s optimistic traits (actual or imagined) goes a good distance to leaving the client with a very good impression.

Instance 2: The usage of “thank you for your persistence” in a proper Letter

“Expensive Mr. Edamura,

We thank you for your persistence whereas we reviewed your case.

Though it pains me drastically, nonetheless, I’m afraid we can not take accountability for your determination to commerce three magic beans for one cow.

Thank you once more for your persistence and understanding.

Sincerely,

A. Dealer & Sons, Inc.”

On this admittedly whimsical letter, the formality is dialed all the way in which up to eleven.

Not solely does the letter author thank Mr. Edamura for his persistence, he reiterates that assertion on the finish of the letter whereas additionally thanking him for his understanding.

One other clear signal that that is in a proper register is that second paragraph, which is definitely only one lengthy and sophisticated sentence.

Such convoluted grammar, coupled with the acute politeness and the exaggerated “ache” the letter author claims to be experiencing, are half and parcel of enterprise English.

“Thank you for your persistence” for future delays

If you’re seeing this phrase however haven’t had to wait for something, you may be confused.

That is simply one other side of how difficult formal English registers will be.

In truth, this trick is identical one as telling an offended buyer they’ve been affected person moderately than admitting you had been gradual about one thing. The one distinction is that the move of time is now reversed.

We’re not speaking science fiction right here. Somewhat, put your self within the sneakers of a buyer once more.

Think about receiving a letter that claims “It’s going to take us six months to type out your declare. Sorry.”

Now image getting one that claims, as an alternative, “We thank you for your persistence whereas we course of your declare.”

Not solely does the latter permit you to keep away from making any guarantees about wait occasions, it’s a lot much less confrontational and it as soon as once more places the onus on the client to stay up to the persistence to which you are ascribing them.

Instance 1: Formal letter

“Expensive Sir or Madam,

This letter is to inform you that we’ve got acquired your request for a refund relating to the transaction you made with our dealer on March thirtieth.

Though we shall be glad to take into account a refund, our firm insurance policies require us to comply with strict procedures so as to be certain that

We thank you for your persistence whereas we course of your refund request, and please really feel free to contact us with questions at any level.”

The very formal register used on this letter is the sort of place you’re doubtless to see this phrase crop up from time to time. Once more, word how complicated the sentences are.

On this case, it’s fairly clear that the recipient of the letter is simply beginning to wait.

The point out of “strict insurance policies” and the invitation to contact the corporate with questions are each good indicators that this “thank you for your persistence”

Instance 2: Help line

“We’re at the moment experiencing excessive wait occasions. Thank you for your persistence.”

It is a pretty easy instance in contrast to the formal letters.

All the identical, if you hear a recorded message say this on a buyer assist line you simply know you’re in for a protracted wait.

This instance is attention-grabbing as a result of it really accounts for any future slowness you may expertise in addition to nonetheless lengthy you’ve already been on maintain.

Let’s look at that concept extra totally.

How to inform if the delay is sooner or later or the previous

Since this phrase is equivalent in each contexts, you may not ensure how to inform them aside.

If somebody says “Thank you for your persistence,” are they telling you you’re in for a protracted wait or simply acknowledging that you may need already had to wait?

Sadly, there isn’t a means to inform for positive. In truth, because the earlier instance exhibits, typically it would even mean each.

More often than not, nonetheless, which meaning is meant shall be instantly apparent from the context of the dialog.

If you’re buying a product but it surely took some time, chances are high good the cashier isn’t going to apologize for how lengthy it is going to take you to get into the parking zone, for occasion. (Though, once more, if the cashier says.

“That is my first day. Thank you for your persistence” as quickly as you attain the register, it’s nonetheless attainable!)

Likewise, if you obtain a letter within the mail from an organization telling you they’re transport a alternative your means and thanking you for your persistence, odds are that they’re anticipating the alternative to take some time to attain you, moderately than apologizing for how lengthy it took them to ship you the letter.

As at all times, if you aren’t positive what the supposed meaning is the best factor to do is ask.

Simply do not forget that, particularly in customer support settings, you are most likely not speaking to the one who makes the choices or who’s accountable for any delay you may be experiencing.

Even when you’re offended and pissed off, it’s best not to take it out on this individual, and to acknowledge in flip that they most likely have a annoying job.

As an alternative, strive responding to this phrase with “No downside. Thank you for your assist.” It’d even make the individual you’re speaking to extra inclined to attempt to assist you out!

The usage of  “thank you for your persistence” in a casual setting

As implied above, “thank you for your persistence” is actually not acceptable exterior of a proper or enterprise register.

If a buddy is asking when you pays again the 5 {dollars} you owe, saying “thank you for your persistence” is probably going to get you punched within the arm for being sarcastic moderately than ingratiating you to them.

To make this phrase much less formal, it’s higher to simply apologize for your personal flaws by saying “Sorry, I don’t have it but.”