Many English learners get confused between “appreciate it” and “appreciated it” because both come from the same verb but are used in different tenses.
Choosing the correct phrase depends on whether you’re talking about the present or the past. Understanding this difference will help you write and speak English more naturally and accurately.
Comparison Overview
Both “appreciate it” and “appreciated it” come from the verb appreciate, which means to be thankful for something, recognize its value or understand its importance.
The main difference is grammatical:
| Feature | Appreciate It | Appreciated It |
| Verb Tense | Present tense | Past tense |
| Time | Now or future | Already happened |
| Meaning | I am thankful now | I was thankful then |
| Common Use | Conversations, emails, requests | Stories, reports, past events |
| Grammar | Base verb (present) | Past tense verb |
In simple words, use appreciate it when expressing gratitude in the present and appreciated it when talking about gratitude that happened in the past.
Definition of Appreciate It
Appreciate it is a present-tense expression used to show gratitude or acknowledge the value of something happening now.
It often appears after someone offers help, provides information or does a favor.
Examples:
- I really appreciate it.
- We appreciate your support.
- I’d appreciate it if you could help me.
- They appreciate your honesty.
- She appreciates it when people arrive on time.
It expresses current feelings of thankfulness or respect.
Definition of Appreciated It
Appreciated it is the past-tense form used when referring to gratitude or recognition that happened earlier.
It describes something you were thankful for in the past.
Examples:
- I appreciated it when you helped me yesterday.
- She appreciated it during her difficult time.
- We appreciated your kindness last week.
- They appreciated it after the meeting.
- He appreciated the opportunity he received.
It focuses on completed actions or past experiences.
Main Differences Between Appreciate It and Appreciated It
| Aspect | Appreciate It | Appreciated It |
| Tense | Present | Past |
| Action | Happening now | Already finished |
| Time Reference | Current or future | Previous event |
| Typical Expression | I appreciate it. | I appreciated it. |
| Used After | Present situations | Past situations |
| Common in Emails | Yes | Sometimes |
| Common in Stories | Rare | Very common |
Key Differences
- Appreciate it expresses gratitude that exists now.
- Appreciated refers to gratitude you felt in the past.
- Both have the same meaning but different time references.
- The surrounding sentence determines which one is correct.
Present vs Past Gratitude
Understanding the timeline makes choosing the correct phrase much easier.
Use “Appreciate It”
Use it when:
- Thanking someone immediately
- Replying to a message
- Making polite requests
- Speaking about current feelings
Example:
Thanks for helping me today. I really appreciate it.
Use “Appreciated It”
Use it when:
- Describing a previous event
- Writing stories
- Talking about completed situations
- Reflecting on past experiences
Example:
I appreciated it when my teacher explained the lesson again.
Common Expressions Using Both
With Appreciate It
- I appreciate it.
- We’d appreciate it.
- I’d appreciate it if…
- We appreciate your help.
- I truly appreciate it.
With Appreciated It
- I appreciated it.
- She appreciated it.
- They appreciated the opportunity.
- We appreciated your support.
- He appreciated your advice.
Grammar Guide
The word appreciate is a verb.
- Appreciate = Present tense verb
- Appreciated = Past tense verb
The word it is a pronoun referring to something already mentioned.
How Each Term Is Used in Sentences
Sentence Pattern (Present)
Subject + appreciate + it
Examples:
- I appreciate it.
- We appreciate it.
- They appreciate it.
Sentence Pattern (Past)
Subject + appreciated + it
Examples:
- I appreciated it.
- She appreciated it.
- They appreciated it.
Common Mistakes Learners Make
Mistake 1
❌ Yesterday I appreciate it.
✅ Yesterday I appreciated it.
Mistake 2
❌ Thank you. I appreciated it.
(If speaking immediately)
✅ Thank you. I appreciate it.
Mistake 3
❌ Tomorrow I appreciated it.
✅ Tomorrow I’ll appreciate it.
Mistake 4
Mixing time expressions with the wrong tense.
Incorrect:
Yesterday → appreciate
Today → appreciated
Always match the tense with the time.
Simple Rules to Remember
- Present = appreciate it
- Past = appreciated it
- Look for time words like:
- today
- now
- currently
- yesterday
- last week
- earlier
- If the action already happened, use appreciated.
Quick Tips for Writing and Speaking
- Match the verb tense to the time.
- Read the sentence aloud.
- Check for words like yesterday or today.
- In emails, “I appreciate it” sounds more natural.
- In stories, “I appreciated it” is usually correct.
When to Use Each One
Use “Appreciate It”
Use it when:
- Thanking someone immediately
- Writing professional emails
- Responding politely
- Showing present gratitude
- Making respectful requests
Examples:
- I appreciate your help.
- We’d appreciate it if you replied soon.
- I appreciate your honesty.
Use “Appreciated It”
Use it when:
- Talking about yesterday
- Describing childhood memories
- Writing reports
- Recalling past support
- Explaining previous experiences
Examples:
- I appreciated your guidance last year.
- She appreciated the opportunity.
When NOT to Use Each One
Don’t Use “Appreciate It”
- When talking about completed past events.
- After words like yesterday or last year.
Incorrect:
I appreciate it yesterday.
Correct:
I appreciated it yesterday.
Don’t Use “Appreciated It”
- When thanking someone immediately.
- During present conversations.
Incorrect:
Thanks for your help. I appreciated it.
Better:
Thanks for your help. I appreciate it.
Which One to Use (Decision Guide)
Ask yourself these questions:
Is the gratitude happening now?
→ Use appreciate it
Did the gratitude happen in the past?
→ Use appreciated it
Quick Decision Table
| Situation | Correct Choice |
| Thanking someone now | Appreciate it |
| Talking about yesterday | Appreciated it |
| Email reply | Appreciate it |
| Storytelling | Appreciated it |
| Current conversation | Appreciate it |
| Experience | Appreciated it |
Real-World Practical Examples
Appreciate It Examples
- Education: I appreciate your explanation of the lesson.
- Daily Life: I appreciate you opening the door for me.
- Business: We appreciate your continued partnership.
- Technology: We appreciate your feedback on our app.
- Conversation: Thanks for calling. I really appreciate it.
Appreciated It Examples
- Education: I appreciated my teacher’s encouragement during exams.
- Business: The client appreciated our quick response.
- Science: The researchers appreciated the additional funding.
- Daily Life: I appreciated your help when I moved house.
- Writing: Readers appreciated the author’s honest message.
Self-Assessment (Fill in the Blanks)
- I will use ______ when thanking someone today. The correct word is ______ because it refers to the present.
- Yesterday I ______ your advice. The correct word is ______ because the event happened earlier.
- We really ______ your support. The correct word is ______ because the gratitude is current.
- She ______ the opportunity last year. The correct word is ______ because it is in the past.
- I ______ your quick reply today. The correct word is ______ because it is happening now.
- They ______ our assistance during the project. The correct word is ______ because the project ended.
- I’d ______ it if you arrived early. The correct word is ______ because it expresses a present request.
- We ______ your kindness yesterday. The correct word is ______ because of the past time expression.
- I sincerely ______ your honesty. The correct word is ______ because the feeling exists now.
- He ______ the award ceremony. The correct word is ______ because it already happened.
- We ______ your patience during today’s meeting. The correct word is ______ because it refers to today.
- She ______ our support after the accident. The correct word is ______ because it describes the past.
- I always ______ constructive feedback. The correct word is ______ because it expresses a general habit.
- They ______ the extra training last month. The correct word is ______ because it is past tense.
- I’d really ______ it if you could explain again. The correct word is ______ because it is a polite present request.
- The team ______ the manager’s encouragement before retirement. The correct word is ______ because retirement has already occurred.
- We ______ your efforts every day. The correct word is ______ because it expresses ongoing gratitude.
- I ______ your visit last weekend. The correct word is ______ because it refers to a completed event.
- Students ______ clear instructions from teachers. The correct word is ______ because it states a general truth.
- My grandparents ______ our visit during the holidays. The correct word is ______ because the visit has already happened.
Answers
- appreciate it
- appreciated
- appreciate
- appreciated
- appreciate
- appreciated
- appreciate
- appreciated
- appreciate
- appreciated
- appreciate
- appreciated
- appreciate
- appreciated
- appreciate
- appreciated
- appreciate
- appreciated
- appreciate
- appreciated
Final Verdict
The difference between “appreciate it” and “appreciated it” is entirely based on verb tense and time. Use “appreciate it” when expressing gratitude or recognition in the present or for ongoing situations. Use “appreciated it” when talking about gratitude you felt in the past for something that has already happened.
By paying attention to time expressions such as today, now, yesterday or last year, you can quickly choose the correct phrase. Mastering this simple distinction will make your English sound more natural, professional and grammatically accurate in conversations, emails, academic writing and everyday communication.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between Appreciate It Vs Appreciated It is easier once you recognize that the choice depends on time and verb tense. While “appreciate it” expresses present gratitude or a current feeling of thankfulness, “appreciated it” refers to gratitude or recognition that existed in the past. Although the phrases are closely related, using the correct one makes your writing and speaking sound more natural, polished and grammatically accurate.
Whether you’re writing a professional email, having a casual conversation, telling a story or completing an English assignment, selecting the right phrase helps communicate your message clearly. By remembering that present situations require “appreciate it,” and past situations require “appreciated it,” you’ll avoid one of the most common grammar mistakes English learners make. With regular practice and attention to context, choosing between these two expressions will soon become second nature.
FAQs
What is the difference between appreciate it and appreciated it?
The main difference is verb tense. “Appreciate it” is used for present or ongoing gratitude, while “appreciated it” is used when talking about gratitude that was felt in the past. The correct choice depends on when the action happened.
Is “I appreciate it” grammatically correct?
Yes, “I appreciate it” is completely grammatically correct. It is a common and polite expression used to thank someone or show gratitude for something happening now. It is widely used in conversations, emails and professional communication.
Is “I appreciated it” grammatically correct?
Yes, “I appreciated it” is also grammatically correct. It is the past-tense form and should be used when referring to something you were thankful for in the past, such as help, advice or support you previously received.
Can I use appreciate it in formal writing?
Yes. “Appreciate it” is appropriate in both formal and informal writing. In professional emails, it often appears in sentences like, “I appreciate your assistance,” or “We appreciate your prompt response,” making your communication polite and respectful.
When should I use appreciated it instead of appreciate it?
Use “appreciated it” whenever you’re describing a completed event or an experience. If your sentence includes time expressions like yesterday, last week or earlier, the past-tense form is usually the correct choice.
Is appreciate a verb or an adjective?
Appreciate is a verb. It means to recognize the value of something, understand its importance, or feel thankful for it. The form appreciated is simply the past tense and past participle of the same verb.
Why do English learners confuse appreciate it and appreciated it?
Many learners confuse them because both phrases have the same basic meaning but differ only in tense. The confusion usually happens when speakers forget to match the verb with the correct time reference in the sentence.
Can I say “I appreciated it yesterday”?
No. That sentence is incorrect because “yesterday” refers to the past. The correct sentence is “I appreciated it yesterday.” Always match the verb tense with the time expression used in the sentence.
Which expression is more common in everyday conversation?
“I appreciate it” is generally more common because people frequently thank others in real-time conversations. However, “I appreciated it” is equally natural when discussing past experiences or reflecting on previous acts of kindness or support.
How can I remember the difference easily?
A simple trick is to focus on the time. If you’re thanking someone now or talking about the present, use “appreciate it.” If you’re talking about something that already happened, use “appreciated it.” Matching the tense to the time makes the correct choice easy.
