People use NP to reply to thanks or an apology, and to agree to a request. It's for friends and informal work chats, with a light, friendly tone. Don't confuse it with nope, which means “no”, a refusal.
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thx! — np; sorry… — np; can you…? — sure, np
- thx for the notes! — np, good luck with the test tomorrow.
- Sorry I'm five minutes late! — np, I just got here too.
- Can you grab some milk on your way home? — sure, np.
What changed
First versionSure, without problems, I'll water your plants while you're away.
RevisionSure, no problem, I'll water your plants while you're away.
When agreeing to a request, English uses no problem, or np in texting. Without problems describes how something went: The flight landed without any problems. It doesn't work as a way of saying yes to a request.
NP sounds more casual than you're welcome: it's what you'd reply to a friend or colleague in a chat after a small favour. To a client or teacher, it's better to write You're welcome or Happy to help. In IELTS Speaking, the abbreviation isn't used; say it in full: No problem at all.
Your turn
Could you send me the photos from Saturday? — ___, I'll do it tonight.
Show the answer
np — You're agreeing and promising to send the photos tonight, which is np, no problem. Nope means no, and a refusal would clash with the promise to do it tonight.
A colleague thanks you for your help in a chat. Reply with np and offer to help with something else specific.
np! If you want, I can also check the slides before Friday's meeting.
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