Thanks to...? or Because of...?

Here, we're going to remind you of the usage and please, try to stick to it!  

1) THANKS TO: we can recognise the verb 'to thank' and the expression ; 'Thank you',

We all know  it! 

Now, here are common words expressing CAUSE:

THANKS TO: leads to a positive result... 'Thanks to' shows gratitude, thankfulness, and

the appreciation of the speaker 

a) Construction: THANKS TO + noun; thanks to Peter. 

                           THANKS TO + noun phrase:  Thanks to Peter's parents. 

                           THANKS TO + verbal phrase: Thanks to what he gave me...

Thanks to... introduces a positive situation. It expresses a cause, reason, which give 

as good a result as possible and shows appreciation.

b)  'Thanks to' may also be used to express sarcasm. 

- Oh, Great, thanks to your slow speed, we've now missed our train! 

c)   'not thanks to...' is the opposite of "thanks to..."

- 'You didn't arrive late for the conference!'   ' Not thanks to you; you made us leave late and rush.'

2) BECAUSE OF: we know BECAUSE (on account of) and here,  BECAUSE OF means: 'on account

of' too. This expression also expresses CAUSE:

BECAUSE OF : introduces a negative element.

Saying that, we feel a hint of guilt, it may even be clearly expressed, thus projecting the responsibility 

of the action on the interlocutor. We might as well say: 'It's your fault!' 

It is normally used to introduce a negative situation,but now, especially on the other side of the Atlantic, 

it is used to express a positive appreciation. it's better not to imitate it. 

REMEMBER: THANKS TO: positive appreciation  /// BECAUSE OF: negative appreciation, and you'll

be safe! 

- Because of you, now we are late and have missed most of the lesson... 

As a matter of fact, if you keep to the principles, this lesson is very easy!  Therefore, why try to 

complexify it? THE FORCE is with You! Go for it!  

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1. 'I'm so grateful Pat! Thanks of youThanks to youBecause of youI don't know, I was on time for the beginning of the film.



2. ' Thanks toThanks ofBecause ofI don't know what my mother taught me, I find it hard to trust not only myself, but every stranger.'



3. 'I understand you, little Tim, because ofthanks tothanks ofI don't know the ghosts you can hear, you're afraid of sleeping alone. But you can believe me, there are no ghosts!'



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7. He walked slowly thanks tobecause ofthanks ofI don't know the ankle he had sprained two weeks before.



8. The boy was five, but thanks tothanks ofbecause ofI don't know his cleverness, he could answer all the tricky questions he was asked.



9. He thinks he's a loser thanks tothanks ofbecause ofI don't know his father who keeps disparaging him in public.



10. Frank has become strong and tough, thanks ofbecause ofthanks toI don't know the advice you've given to him and to boxing.