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ESLBeginner Posted 16 years ago
Vocabulary

Thanks

Hello, I'm reading when 'thank' used as noun, it must be plural. But I sometimes saw "a thanks"? is it right? why is that? Thanks.
  

Top answer

It is correct. It is one of those unusual nouns that does not have a singular form. Here are some examples: He gave a million thanks to his friend.

— AlpheccaStars

  • It is correct.
  • It is one of those unusual nouns that does not have a singular form.
  • Here are some examples: He gave a million thanks to his friend.
  • Let's give a special/big thanks to our sponsor.
  • In spite of all my hard work, I never got a thanks for any of it.
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3 Answers
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It is correct. It is one of those unusual nouns that does not have a singular form.

Here are some examples:

He gave a million thanks to his friend.
Let's give a special/big thanks to our sponsor.
In spite of all my hard work, I never got a thanks for any of it.
He muttered a barely audible thanks under his breath.

Thanks means a "thank you."
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ESLBeginnerBut I sometimes saw see "a thanks"? is Is it right?
No. To my ear it's not right unless you include an adjective, as illustrated above: a big thanks, a special thanks, a heartfelt thanks, etc. But I wouldn't go so far as to say that you'll never see it without an adjective.

CJ
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Hi CJ;

I found several instances of "a thanks" in COCA, but I agree that it is very rare. Most of the time there is no article or an article+adjective:

We give thanks at every meal.

In the singular, "thank you" is more common:

He expected at least a "thank you" for what he did.
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