Thanks/happy in the future

Question

Hi,Thanks for the add.Happy for the win.In such cases can we use all verbs to be nouns (like add and win) ? or is there a list of the verbs which can be used so.And again making the same sentences above, we implies the events already happened. she added me as friend  or  I won the match. what about the events which will happen in the future? Could we use the same shortened structure?For example:  She's saying: "OK. I'll add you as friend on facebook". So I can say: "Thanks for the add". right? Do I have to say just: "thanks"?Or similarly; when I invite one of my friends to my brithday party but he doesn't intend to come first. Then I persuade her to come. So I say: "happy to join us". can I ? Do I have to say: "Happy you'll join us"?Thanks for the reply???? (I think this is the main point of my questions: future and a verb as noun)

Mr Wordy · Accepted Answer

johner
Thanks for the add.

Happy for the win.

In such cases can we use all verbs to be nouns (like add and win) ? or is there a list of the verbs which can be used so.

If a word that is a verb can also be a noun, and provided it makes sense to thank someone for it, or be happy for it, then you can use the word in your sentences. If the word can't be a noun then you can't use it. For example, "Thanks for the ride" is fine, but "Thanks for the introduce" is wrong (there is no noun "introduce"; you must say "introduction"). To find out if a verb can also be a noun (and what it means as a noun), you look in the dictionary if you don't already know.

"add" is not a standard English noun, and "Thanks for the add" feels very casual and only makes sense in a clear context (such as the one you mention). You could also say just "Thanks!" or "Thanks for adding me".

"win" is a standard English noun, but "Happy for the win" is abbreviated and also casual, and the meaning of "Happy for" may be context dependent. A lot of nouns will not make sense after "Happy for". Presumably here you are congratulating someone about their win?

johnerOr similarly; when I invite one of my friends to my brithday party but he doesn't intend to come first. Then I persuade her to come. So I say: "happy to join us". can I ? Do I have to say: "Happy you'll join us"?

Neither of these is idiomatic. You can say "I'm happy you're joining us" or "I'm happy you can join us". In casual and abbreviated speech people might sometimes drop "I'm", but I don't recommend you get in the habit of doing it.

johner
Thanks for the reply???? (I think this is the main point of my questions: future and a verb as noun)

"Thanks for the reply" is fine, but usually you would use this after receiving a reply. If you use it before receiving a reply then it would normally be understood to refer to a reply you were anticipating. However, I wouldn't particularly recommend this usage; instead you could say something like "Thanks in advance for your reply".

Johner · Answer

Hi,

Presumably here you are congratulating someone about their win?

No. I had the intention of saying: "I'm happy that I beat my opponent yesterday." It's what rafael nadal said the other day after his first round win. he said: "happy for the win". However I see your point. When I talk to my friend it makes no difference. I can say: "happy for the win" and he wouldn't find this strange. because he would understand from the context if I mean "happy that I won" or "you won so I'm happy for you".

Mr Wordy instead you could say something like "Thanks in advance for your reply".

Yes, I do this. I was wondering if it depends on the tense. turned out it does; as I understand I can't say it before receiving the reply.

As a result, all my concerns are based on being understood. I just want the person who I talk to, to understand what I mean. the rest doesn't matter, to be honest. I'm not a native so I can't pay attention on the details and speaking perfect english. this is because obviously I can't. when my words don't sound weird to you, that means I've reached my goal.

So many thanks for giving me what I was looking for.

Mr Wordy · Answer

johnerNo. I had the intention of saying: "I'm happy that I beat my opponent yesterday." It's what rafael nadal said the other day after his first round win. he said: "happy for the win". However I see your point. When I talk to my friend it makes no different. I can say: "happy for the win" and he wouldn't find this strange. because he would understand from the context if I mean "happy that I won" or "you won so I'm happy for you".

Right, context is everything here. You must assume that the reader or listener knows which win you are talking about, otherwise "Happy for the win" probably won't mean anything to them.

Thanks/happy in the future

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