thanks to

USAGE SUMMARY

"thanks to" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to introduce a phrase or clause that explains the reason why something happened or is the case. For example: "Thanks to her help, the event was a success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Significant thanks to Kent.

The New Yorker

And thanks to everyone.

The New Yorker

Special thanks to Apple.

The New York Times

Yes, thanks to Facebook.

The New York Times

Not thanks to influential connections.

The New Yorker

We give thanks to Nato".

Independent

Big thanks to our surrogate.

The New York Times

All thanks to the bobcat.

The New York Times

With thanks to Duncan Weldon.

Independent

All thanks to compounding.

The Guardian - Money

Many thanks to Boatman.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "thanks to" sarcastically, ensure the tone is clear through context. For example, "Thanks to the rain, our picnic was ruined."

Common error

Avoid using "thanks to" for negative outcomes without a clear indication of sarcasm. It's more appropriate to use phrases like "due to" or "because of" in such cases.

How to use

Learn how to use "thanks to" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thanks to" functions as a causal preposition, introducing a noun phrase that explains the reason for a particular outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase. It often carries a connotation of gratitude or acknowledgment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thanks to" is a very common phrase used to express gratitude or acknowledge a cause, generally with a positive connotation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase. While primarily functioning as a causal preposition, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. When writing, it's best practice to use "thanks to" to genuinely acknowledge contributions and avoid it for negative outcomes unless intending sarcasm. Alternatives such as "due to" or "because of" are more suitable for neutral or negative results. "Thanks to" contributes effectively to both formal and informal communication, as shown in the numerous examples provided by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

due to

Replaces "thanks to" with a more neutral causal connector, suitable for both positive and negative outcomes.

because of

Similar to "due to" but slightly more informal and emphasizes the reason for something.

owing to

A more formal alternative to "thanks to", indicating cause or reason.

as a result of

Emphasizes the consequence of a particular action or event.

attributable to

Suggests that something can be credited or assigned to a specific cause or factor.

by virtue of

Implies that something is achieved or made possible by a specific quality or condition.

through the agency of

Highlights the role of someone or something in bringing about a particular result.

on account of

A more formal phrase indicating the reason or explanation for something.

in consequence of

Indicates that something happens as a direct result or outcome of something else.

through

A simple one-word alternative that indicates means or cause.

FAQs

How do I use "thanks to" in a sentence?

"Thanks to" is used to express gratitude or to indicate that something is a result of someone or something. For example, "Thanks to her hard work, the team succeeded".

What can I say instead of "thanks to"?

You can use alternatives like "due to", "because of", or "owing to" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "thanks to" sarcastically?

Yes, it can be used sarcastically to imply blame. However, ensure the context makes your intent clear to avoid confusion.

What's the difference between "thanks to" and "due to"?

"Thanks to" usually implies a positive outcome, while "due to" is more neutral and can be used for both positive and negative outcomes.