Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[river1974]

Dear teachers:

(a) We would appreciate if you could send us in advance any urgent matter to be due on these days.
(b) We would appreciate it if you could send us in advance any urgent matter to be due on these days.

Which one is proper?

Thanks.

[Bob S.]

(b) sounds more natural.

Options:
We would greatly appreciate if...
We would appreciate it if...
It would be greatly appreciated if...

[river1974]

Thanks Bob.

[LucentShade]

"Appreciate" in this meaning is a transitive verb, so it follows the pattern [someone] appreciate(s) [something]. The "it" in (b) refers to the clause, "if you could send. . ."

There is another meaning of "appreciate," but it means "to increase in value," as in, "Cars don't appreciate over time, they depreciate."

[river1974]

Thanks LucentShade. Your explanations are very clear to me.