thanks to something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thanks to something" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express gratitude or acknowledgment for a specific cause or reason that has led to a positive outcome. Example: "Thanks to her hard work and dedication, the project was completed ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Watkins says there's also an elevated risk of heatwaves next month, thanks to something known as the southern annular mode.

The Guardian

The swim didn't start as Chambers expected, however, possibly thanks to something she had eaten the day before.

The Guardian

Second, the SNB risked irritating its critics even more, thanks to something that is happening this Thursday: many expect the European Central Bank to introduce "quantitative easing".

The Economist

That timing actually works in the favor of a personality who may be in the spotlight for a fleeting time thanks to something like a reality show.

The New York Times

A fascinating article in The World in 2013 argues that "alternative" energy is on its way to becoming conventional, with subsidies dwindling thanks to something called "Swanson's law".

The Economist

Singer Sam Smith has undergone an "incredible transformation", losing three stone over the past few months thanks to something called Eat Nourish Glow, which sounds like a late-period Alanis Morissette album but is in fact a nutritional bible.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

There are 25 songs on board, and thanks to a something-for-everyone selection policy, you'll probably like three of them.

The Guardian - Tech

I honestly can't think of a time when I've heard a white male Oscar winner thank God. Giving thanks to God is something I know very well.

HuffPost

Often this is only possible thanks to public subsidies - something the government here is keen to avoid, she adds.

The Guardian

We always owe thanks to somebody for something -- birthday gifts, baptism presents, etc. -- and in my mind they'll all get written Sunday evening.

The New York Times

Steve Smith (CAR) vs. Washington Washingtonon has allowed just one receiver to reach paydirt this season (Fitzgerald) and should be wise to how the Atlanta Falcons held Smith to just five catches for 66 yards, thanks to a little something called game film.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thanks to something" when you want to acknowledge a specific factor contributing to a positive or neutral outcome. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is being thanked.

Common error

Avoid using "thanks to something" when the cause is negative or undesirable. Instead, use phrases like "due to" or "because of" to maintain neutrality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thanks to something" functions as a causal connector, indicating that a particular outcome is a result of a specific factor. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in attributing causes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

13%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thanks to something" is a commonly used phrase to acknowledge or express gratitude for a factor that contributes to a specific outcome. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase is deemed grammatically correct and is suitable for a variety of contexts, mostly neutral, though it can imply positive reasons. While "thanks to something" is often appropriate, being mindful of the context is important. Using alternatives like "due to something" can provide a more neutral tone, particularly when discussing negative outcomes. The phrase is observed across diverse domains, but is most frequent in news and media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

due to something

More formal alternative that emphasizes causality.

because of something

A common and direct way to express causation.

owing to something

A more formal and less common way to indicate cause.

as a result of something

Highlights the consequence of a particular cause.

on account of something

Indicates that something is happening because of something else.

by virtue of something

Emphasizes that something is achieved or made possible by a particular quality or action.

attributable to something

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

resulting from something

Focuses on the outcome that stems from a particular cause.

in light of something

Indicates that something is happening because of new information or changed circumstances.

given something

Highlights a fact or circumstance that makes something else likely or possible.

FAQs

How can I use "thanks to something" in a sentence?

Use "thanks to something" to show gratitude or acknowledge a factor that contributed to a particular outcome. For example, "The project was successful "thanks to something": the team's dedication and hard work."

What's a more formal alternative to "thanks to something"?

Alternatives like "due to something" or "owing to something" are more formal options for expressing the same causal relationship.

Is it correct to use "thanks to something" for negative outcomes?

While grammatically correct, it's generally better to use neutral phrases like "because of something" or "as a result of something" when discussing negative consequences.

What is the difference between "thanks to something" and "due to something"?

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