Can I say this "your ... is impressive" to my professor? [closed]
Solution 1:
No, this is not a stupid question; those things have to be learned, as anything else. The problem concerning them is that they do not make the object of regular courses and that you learn them mostly as you go along.
What you feel about your professor is quite understandable but the terms you envisage to use to express that to her are for the least very unusual, not to say extravagant in the context of addressing her. The adjective "gracious" is in no way acceptable here; if in the end you were to mention such a characteristic as "grace" or "graciousness", as this latter seems more appropriate, you'd have to use "Your graciousness and kindness…", because "gracious" is only an adjective.
A second point to understand is the fact that academic superiors are not to be communicated assessments on the level of their character in public or otherwise, be those ever so flattering, nor to be praised for their academic achievements too enthusiastically by their pupils. You might be impressed and there is nothing wrong with saying that to your schoolmates and other persons but you might make your professor a little ill at ease. In any case, this way of addressing academic superiors is not used. Instead of writing that you are impressed you may mention the effect that this graciousness and this kindness shown to you are something that you are grateful for; you may not say that you are pleased with it, but you may be thankful for it; one way to do that would be to write "I'm thankful for the graciousness and kindness that you've shown to me."