"thank to" vs "because of"

Question

Hi everybody, i dont know what is the different between "thank to" and "because of" . Really need your help . Thank a lot

Avangi · Accepted Answer

It's always used in the plural, "Thanks to."

It may be used as a substitute for "due to," in which case the choice between "because of" and "due to" comes into play. Some "authorities" make a big deal of this, and others say it doesn't matter.

I believe "Thanks to" would be considered a lower register usage than either of the other two. That is, don't use it in formal situations (unless you're thanking someone for something).

There's also a sort of colloquial usage for "Thanks to" and "Because of" in which "due to" plays no part:

"I got a drunk-driving ticket last night, thanks to / because of you!" "Thanks to / because of you and the divorce court, I'm now the owner of a new Cadillac."

In the negative, only the "thanks to" works. It has kind of a sarcastic flavor. "Well, I finally got my citizenship, no thanks to you!" That is, you gave me no help, and you may have even hindered.

Re "due to" vs. "because of," "due to" may only be used in the following way:

"My absence was due to sickness," in which "due to" is the complement of a being verb, preceded by the subject.

Taking the bus was a big mistake , but was due to necessity.

I think you can use "because of" any way you like:

We left Wyoming because of the high cost of heating our home in the winter.

Some people will allow the substitution of "due to" in this sentence. Perhaps someone has advice on substituting "thanks to."

Best wishes, - A.

Anonymous · Answer

LilSunshineHi everybody, i dont know what is the different between "thank to" and "because of" . Really need your help . Thank a lot

Avangi · Answer

Right.

I don't find a difference in meaning. Do you, Anon?

I think the difference is a matter of style and taste.

What's your opinion?

Bender · Answer

There is definitely a difference to both the speaker and listener. Don't you love the infinite nuances of the English language?

Anyway, "thanks to" is used instead of "due to" and "because of" when you want to convey a sense of appreciation or unappreciation.

Avangi · Answer

Welcome to English Forums, Bender. Thanks for joining us! [<:o)]

I agree that "due to" would not convey appreciation.

Best regards, - A.

Bender · Answer

Thank you very much Avangi! Have some cake!

Tinanam0102 · Answer

Hi Avangi,

How are you? I have two questions about your examples I don't understand below. Thanks.

Avangi"I got a drunk-driving ticket last night, thanks to / because of you!" "Thanks to / because of you and the divorce court, I'm now the owner of a new Cadillac."

Does this sentence carry a sarcastic flavor? I see your other "no thanks to you" example?

AvangiWe left Wyoming because of the high cost of heating our home in the winter.

Is there a "in" between heating and our home? Thanks

Thnak you.

Tinanam

Avangi · Answer

tinanam0102
Avangi "I got a drunk-driving ticket last night, thanks to / because of you!" "Thanks to / because of you and the divorce court, I'm now the owner of a new Cadillac."
Does this sentence carry a sarcastic flavor? I see your other "no thanks to you" example?

tinanam0102
Avangi We left Wyoming because of the high cost of heating our home in the winter.
Is there a "in" between heating and our home?

No, but there could be.
As a verbal, the gerund "heating" can take a direct object.
I like playing chess. "Chess" is the direct object of the gerund, "playing."

I like playing in the mud. The prepositional phrase "in the mud" is an adverbial modifier of the gerund "playing."
In both these sentences, the main verb is "like," and what follows is its direct object. So the main verb can have a direct object and the gerund can also have a direct object.

"Beware the high cost of heating!" can stand alone, or it can be modified:
"Beware the high cost of heating in Wyoming."
"Beware the high cost of heating homes."
"Beware the high cost of heating homes in Wyoming."
"Beware the high cost of heating in homes which are not properly insulated."
etc. etc.

Sorry, I have to rush off to an appointment. In your first reference, both involve humor; one is scarcastic and one is not. More later.

Avangi · Answer

So as sarcasm, "thanks to you" means that you were the cause of it, or you were responsible. The irony lies in the fact that "thanks" indicates gratitude, in a situation in which the action was harmful to the speaker, and he clearly wishes it had not happened.

I suppose "no thanks to you" is not exactly ironic, because it describes the situation accurately. Something good happened, and your friend should have been there helping to make it happen; but instead, he either failed to help, or was actually working against you.

"Thanks to you and the divorce court I'm now the owner of a new Cadillac" is ironic because you were an unwilling participant. You certainly didn't intend to do something good for me.
In a tennis match, you accidently hit me a ball which is perfectly positioned so I can slam it, and score against you. When I say, "Thank you very much!", the irony is in the implication that you did it on purpose, when we both know you didn't.

Tinanam0102 · Answer

Hi Avangi,

Thank you so much for your explanations.

Have a wonderful day!

Tinanam

"thank to" vs "because of"

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