When I come across the post that helps me, I make a comment, "Thank you for making a helpful post", meaning "Thank you for making ONE post that helps me."
I know that "Thank you for making the helpful post" is also correct, clearly indicating the exact post they made.
What's the difference in meaning or nuance between the above two sentences? Which one is more natural or commonly used?
Here are some recommended alternatives:
Thank you for the helpful post!
Thank you for this helpful post!
Thank you for such helpful information!
Which one is more natural or commonly used?
Comparing the sentences you mentioned:
"Thank you for making a helpful post" - This sounds a bit distant and unfriendly. "a helpful post" is one among many, it is not distinguished somehow.
"Thank you for making the helpful post" - is preferable. However, I think that leaving out the verb, as in the recommendations above, is better.
"A helpful post" refers to one of possibly multiple helpful posts.
"The helpful post" implies that none of the other posts were helpful.
